TiO2 Nanotube Array as Efficient Transparent Photoanode in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell with High Electron Lifetime
A. Lambertia, A. Sacco a, D. Hidalgoa, S. Biancoa, D. Manfredia, M. Quaglioa, E. Tressoa,b and C.F. Pirria,b
aCenter for Space Human Robotics @ PoliTo, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, C.so Trento 21, 10129 Torino, Italy
bApplied Science and Technology Department, Politecnico di Torino, C.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy
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In the present work, the fabrication and characterization of non-curling, free-standing TiO2 nanotube membranes and their integration in front-side illuminated dye-sensitized solar cells are reported. Vertically oriented TiO2 nanotube arrays were fabricated by anodic oxidation of a titanium foil. Nanotube membranes were detached from the metallic foil, transferred and bonded on transparent fluorine-doped tin oxide/glass substrates employing a TiO2 sol as a binder. Crystalline phase and morphology of the film were investigated, evidencing the formation of a highly ordered 1D nanotubes carpet, with a pure anatase crystalline structure. TiO2 nanotube-based DSCs were fabricated using reversible microfluidic architecture. The cell performances were studied by I-V electrical characterization, incident-photon-to-electron conversion: efficiency, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and open circuit voltage decay measurements, showing an increase in electron lifetime compared to nanoparticle-based dye-sensitized solar cells.

DOI: 10.12693/APhysPolA.123.376
PACS numbers: 73.63.Bd, 72.20.Jv, 72.40.+w, 73.40.Mr, 88.40.H-, 81.07.De