Radial electron collection in dye-sensitized solar cells

We introduce a new photoelectrode architecture consisting of concentric conducting and semiconducting nanotubes for use in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Atomic layer deposition is employed to grow indium tin oxide (ITO) within a porous template and subsequently coat the high area photoelectrocle with amorphous TiO2. Compared with control devices lacking a current collector within the pores, the new photoelectrode geometry exhibits dramatically higher current densities, an effect attributed to the radial collection of electrons.