Synthesis, characterization and application of sol-gel derived mesoporous TiO2 nanoparticles for dye-sensitized solar cells

Nanocrystalline mesoporous Mania of anatase crystal phase were prepared by sol-gel route by varying calcination (400 degrees C and 600 degrees C) conditions, and the photo-electrochemical properties were investigated for dye-sensitized solar cell applications The TTIP precursor in n-heptane solvent with ratio of water to TTIP (5 1) was found to be effective substrate for the working electrodes The overall conversion efficiency of 7 59% was achieved under 1 sun irradiation with open circuit voltage of 077 V, current density of 17 00 mA/cm(2) and FF of 51 14 The high efficiency of the 400 degrees C calcined sample were attributed to its mesopores, high BET surface area (80 1 m(2)/g) and large pore volume of prepared Mania substrate which provide better surface for the absorption of dye, improves light harvesting efficiency and better charge injection The prepared samples were characterized by XRD, small angle XRD, FE-SEM, TEM, IPCE, I-V curve, BEI surface area and BJH plot techniques (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved