title: Nanoprecursor-Mediated Synthesis of Mg²⁺-Doped TiO₂ Nanoparticles and Their Application for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.
abstract: Surface-doping anatase TiO₂ nanoparticles with Mg²⁺ were prepared via a novel synthetic method, and used as photoanodes for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image results indicate that the Mg²⁺ doping has no effect on the crystal phase and morphology of anatase TiO₂. The shift in XRD peaks to higher angles, the absorption shift in UV-vis diffuse reflection spectra, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results indicate the incorporation of Mg²⁺-ions into the TiO₂ lattice. The as-prepared TiO₂nanoparticles doped with a low concentration of ions is proven a superior photoanode material than pure anatase TiO₂. The energy-conversion efficiency (1) of DSSC based on TiO₂ nanoparticles doped with Mg²⁺ is at a maximum of 5.90%, corresponding to an efficiency improvement of 23.4% as compared to DSSC based on un-doped TiO₂. This new synthetic approach using a nanoprecursor provides a simple and versatile method for the preparation of excellent photoanode materials for application in solar energy conversion devices.
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: M Shaheer
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Akhtar
authors.forename: O-Bong
authors.initials: OB
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Florian J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Stadler
mesh_terms: D008274:Magnesium / Q000737:chemistry*; D012993:Solar Energy; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: C009495:titanium dioxide; D014025:Titanium; D008274:Magnesium