Application of Titania Nanotubes to a Dye-sensitized Solar Cell

Abstract

Titania nano tube was successfully obtained by hydrothermal treatment of nano size TiO₂ fine powder in 10 M NaOH solution for 20 h at 110°C. The morphology of product was 8-10 nm in width and about 100 nm in length with tubular shape. The specific surface area was 270 m² g⁻¹, much higher than that of starting material titania powder with 50 m² g⁻¹. Photovoltaic properties of these titania film was also examined. The results were V_OC = 0.704, I_SC = 1.26 mA, η = 2.9%, FF = 0.66 for titania nano tube, and V_OC = 0.767, I_SC = 1.20 mA, η = 3.0%, FF = 0.72 for titania nano powder (P-25).