Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell based on TiO₂ Nanocrystals Prepared with Mixed Template Technique

Abstract

This work describes a procedure based on a mixed template of copolymer F127 (poly(ethylene oxide)₁₀₆-poly(propylene oxide)₇₀-poly(ethylene oxide)₁₀₆) and surfactant CTAB (cetyltrimethylammonium Bromide) for generating nanocrystals of anatase TiO₂. The mixed template allows access to larger surface area, smaller size and higher crystallinity TiO₂ particles in comparison with single template. XRD and TEM show the TiO₂ nanocrystals have high crystallinity with the size of 3-5 nm which carry out obvious quantum confinement effect and high photocatalytic activity. The mixed template allows to make crack-free porous TiO₂ film with various thickness by repetitive coating and calcinations. Over 8% conversion efficiency of light-to-electricity with the TiO₂ film electrode has been obtained.