Three-dimensional electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells: synthesis of indium-tin-oxide nanowire arrays and ITO/TiO2 core-shell nanowire arrays by electrophoretic deposition.
Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) show promise as a cheaper alternative to silicon-based photovoltaics for specialized applications, provided conversion efficiency can be maximized and production costs minimized. This study demonstrates that arrays of nanowires can be formed by wet-chemical methods for use as three-dimensional (3D) electrodes in DSSCs, thereby improving photoelectric conversion efficiency. Two approaches were employed to create the arrays of ITO (indium-tin-oxide) nanowires or arrays of ITO/TiO(2) core-shell nanowires; both methods were based on electrophoretic deposition (EPD) within a polycarbonate template. The 3D electrodes for solar cells were constructed by using a doctor-blade for coating TiO(2) layers onto the ITO or ITO/TiO(2) nanowire arrays. A photoelectric conversion efficiency as high as 4.3% was achieved in the DSSCs made from ITO nanowires; this performance was better than that of ITO/TiO(2) core-shell nanowires or pristine TiO(2) films. Cyclic voltammetry confirmed that the reaction current was significantly enhanced when a 3D ITO-nanowire electrode was used. Better separation of charge carriers and improved charge transport, due to the enlarged interfacial area, are thought to be the major advantages of using 3D nanowire electrodes for the optimization of DSSCs.
Wang
Hong-Wen
HW
Department of Chemistry, Center for Nanotechnology, Chung-Yuan Christian University, Chungli 320, Taiwan, Republic of China. hongwen@cycu.edu.tw
Ting
Chi-Feng
CF
Hung
Miao-Ken
MK
Chiou
Chwei-Huann
CH
Liu
Ying-Ling
YL
Liu
Zongwen
Z
Ratinac
Kyle R
KR
Ringer
Simon P
SP
D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods; D011211:Electric Power Supplies; D004586:Electrophoresis / Q000379:methods; D004595:Electroplating; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D007455:Iodine / Q000737:chemistry; D008839:Microelectrodes; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D043942:Nanotubes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010316:Particle Size; D012993:Solar Energy; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry*
D004396:Coloring Agents; C009495:titanium dioxide; D007455:Iodine; D014025:Titanium