Fabrication and Characterization of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Using TiO_2-Nanotube Particles by Anodic Oxidation

摘要

Anodic oxidation of Ti metal was performed in an ethylene glycol electrolyte with small addition of H_2O and NH_4F at 60 V. Ti metal plate with a thickness of 100μm was completely converted into ～200μm thick membrane of highly ordered TiO_2 nanotube (NT) arrays. TiO_2 NT arrays are grown in vertical direction to both faces of the Ti-plate. As-fabricated NT membrane is mechanically grinded to yield fine individual NT particles for the photoanode application to dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) in replacement of conventional TiO_2 particles. Photoconversion efficiency of the DSC using crystalline NT particles is ～7.0%. It can be further improved by controlling TiO_2 NT particle dimensions to increase dye attachment, and electron lifetime and mobility due to high surface to volume ratio and less defect density.