Direct and seamless coupling of TiO2 nanotube photonic crystal to dye-sensitized solar cell: a single-step approach

Adv Mater. 2011 Dec 15;23(47):5624-8. doi: 10.1002/adma.201103591. Epub 2011 Nov 7.

Abstract

A TiO(2) nanotube layer with a periodic structure is used as a photonic crystal to greatly enhance light harvesting in TiO(2) nanotube-based dye-sensitized solar cells. Such a tube-on-tube structure fabricated by a single-step approach facilitates good physical contact, easy electrolyte infiltration, and efficient charge transport. An increase of over 50% in power conversion efficiency is obtained in comparison to reference cells without a photonic crystal layer (under similar total thickness and dye loading).

MeSH terms

  • Coloring Agents / chemistry*
  • Electric Power Supplies*
  • Electrochemical Techniques / methods
  • Electrodes
  • Electrolytes
  • Nanotubes / chemistry*
  • Particle Size
  • Photochemistry / methods*
  • Solar Energy*
  • Surface Properties
  • Titanium / chemistry*

Substances

  • Coloring Agents
  • Electrolytes
  • titanium dioxide
  • Titanium