Green Synthesis of Pristine and Ag-Doped TiO2 and Investigation of Their Performance as Photoanodes in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have emerged as a potential candidate for third-generation thin film solar energy conversion systems because of their outstanding optoelectronic properties, cost-effectiveness, environmental friendliness, and easy manufacturing process. The electron transport layer is one of the most essential components in DSSCs since it plays a crucial role in the device's greatest performance. Silver ions as a dopant have drawn attention in DSSC device applications because of their stability under ambient conditions, decreased charge recombination, increased efficient charge transfer, and optical, structural, and electrochemical properties. Because of these concepts, herein, we report the synthesis of pristine TiO2 using a novel green modified solvothermal simplistic method. Additionally, the prepared semiconductor nanomaterials, Ag-doped TiO2 with percentages of 1, 2, 3, and 4%, were used as photoanodes to enhance the device's performance. The obtained nanomaterials were characterized using XRD, FTIR, FE-SEM, EDS, and UV-vis techniques. The average crystallite size for pristine TiO2 and Ag-doped TiO2 with percentages of 1, 2, 3, and 4% was found to be 13 nm by using the highest intensity peaks in the XRD spectra. The Ag-doped TiO2 nanomaterials exhibited excellent photovoltaic activity as compared to pristine TiO2. The incorporation of Ag could assist in successful charge transport and minimize the charge recombination process. The DSSCs showed a Jsc of 8.336 mA/cm(2), a V-oc of 698 mV, and an FF of 0.422 with a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 2.45% at a Ag concentration of 4% under illumination of 100 mW/cm(2) power with N719 dye, indicating an important improvement when compared to 2% Ag-doped (PCE of 0.97%) and pristine TiO2 (PCE of 0.62%).

Automated summary

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are a promising candidate for thin film solar energy conversion due to their excellent optoelectronic properties, low cost, environmental friendliness, and easy manufacturing process. The electron transport layer is crucial for the performance of DSSCs, and the incorporation of silver ions has shown potential to enhance charge transfer and reduce charge recombination. In this study, pristine TiO2 and Ag-doped TiO2 nanomaterials with varying concentrations of silver were synthesized and characterized. The Ag-doped TiO2 nanomaterials exhibited improved photovoltaic activity compared to pristine TiO2, with a power conversion efficiency of 2.45% achieved at a Ag concentration of 4%.