Aggregated mesoporous nanoparticles for high surface area light scattering layer TiO2 photoanodes in Dye-sensitized Solar Cells

Hierarchically structured aggregates, consisting of TiO2 nanoparticles were produced via one-step solvothermal syntheses with a mixed solvent system containing both acetic acid and ethanol. Two of the resulting structures, one similar to 700 nm and the other similar to 300 nm in diameter, were found to be comprised of 8.5 nm and 10.5 nm anatase crystals, and possess specific surface areas of 138 and 106 m(2) g(-1) respectively. These particles were incorporated into Dye-sensitized Solar Cells (DSCs) as high surface area scattering layers, along with a layer of a transparent material. Solar-to-electric conversion efficiencies (PCE) of 9.1% and 8.2% were recorded using these aggregated particles as compared to those of commonly used large particles scattering layer 7.4%.