Integration of TiO₂nanotube arrays into solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells

In this investigation, transparent TiO2 nanotube arrays prepared on a FTO substrate are employed as 1D nanostructures providing elongated direct pathways for electron transport and collection in solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell (SDSC). Donor-antenna (D-A) dyes provide an exciting route for improving the light harvesting efficiency in dye sensitized solar cells owing to their high molar extinction coefficients and the effective spatial separation of charges in the charge-separated state. Hence in this study we fabricated SDSC devices with different thicknesses of transparent TiO2 nanotube array electrodes sensitized with Ru-(II)-donor-antenna dye and spiro-OMeTAD as a hole conductor. At AM 1.5 G, 100 mW/cm2 illumination intensity, a power conversion efficiency of 1.94% was achieved when the TiO2 nanotubes are initially subjected to TiCl4 treatment. Furthermore, a linear increase in the cell current without loss in fill factor is observed for increasing length of TiO2 nanotubes. The structural and morphological characteristics of the transparent TiO2 nanotube arrays as well as the optimal conditions for the fabrication of SDSCs with transparent TiO2 nanotubes on FTO glass are reported.