title: Preparation of nanorod-like anatase TiO2 nanocrystals and their photovoltaic properties.
abstract: Anatase TiO2 nanocrystals with the high specific surface area were prepared by the hydrothermal treatment of anatase TiO2 sols at the temperature of 150 degrees C and above. When TiO2 sols with a lower content of TiO2 and at a relatively high pH value were hydrothermal treated, the dispersible and nanorod-like TiO2 nanocrystals were formed via the oriented attachment. The nanorod-like TiO2 nanocrystals with an aspect ratio of larger than 5 and a mean diameter of less than 7 nm were obtained in the absence of organic compounds. The as-prepared TiO2 nanocrystals were characterized with X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and BET surface area techniques. The TiO2 nanostructures were deposited on the FTO conductive glass as the anodic electrode for the dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) and assembled into solar cells. The derived solar cells showed a conversion efficiency of 6.12% under 1 sun illumination of simulated sunlight and external quantum efficiency (EQE) of more than 60% at the wavelength of 550 nm. The DSSCs from the anatase nanorods has a higher open circuit voltage compared to the spherical nanocrystals.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China.
authors.forename: Qinghong
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Shuang
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yaogang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Hongzhi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang