TiO2 nanotube fabrication with highly exposed (001) facets for enhanced conversion efficiency of solar cells

We demonstrate that the use of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) and acetic acid during the synthesis of TiO2 nanotubes may result in the synthesis of single-crystal-like anatase TiO2 with a mainly exposed and chemically active (001) facet. An enhancement in the overall conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells was observed in a photoanode consisting of TiO2 single-crystal-like anatase exposed (001) facets.