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Photo-electrochemical studies of chemically deposited nanocrystalline meso-porous n-type TiO2 thin films for dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) using simple synthesized azo dye

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Abstract

Nanocrystalline titanium dioxide (TiO2) thin films were deposited by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction method onto fluorine doped tin oxide coated glass substrate at room temperature (300 K). Titanium trichloride and sodium hydroxide were used as cationic and anionic sources, respectively. The as-deposited and annealed films were characterized for structural, morphological, optical, electrical and wettability properties. The photoelectrochemical study of TiO2 sensitized with a laboratory synthesized organic dye (azo) was evaluated in the polyiodide electrolyte at 40 mW cm−2 light illumination intensity. The photovoltaic characteristics show a fill factor of 0.24 and solar conversion efficiency value of 0.032 % for a TiO2 thickness of 0.96 µm as compared to efficiency of 0.014 % for rose Bengal of the same thickness.

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Acknowledgments

Authors are grateful to Thin Film Physics Laboratory, Department of Physics, Shivaji University, Kolhapur, (M.S.) India.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria

    C. G. Ezema, B. E. Ezema & P. O. Ukoha

  2. National Centre for Energy Research and Development, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria

    C. G. Ezema

  3. Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria

    A. C. Nwanya & Fabian I. Ezema

  4. Thin Film Laboratory, Department of Physics, Shivaji University, Kolhapur, India

    B. H. Patil & C. D. Lokhande

  5. School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk, 712-749, Republic of Korea

    R. N. Bulakhe

  6. Nanosciences African Network (NANOAFNET), iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation, 1 Old Faure Road, Somerset West 7129, P.O. Box 722, Somerset West, Western Cape Province, South Africa

    Malik Maaza & Fabian I. Ezema

  7. UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences/Nanotechnology, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa (UNISA), Muckleneuk Ridge, P.O. Box 392, Pretoria, South Africa

    Malik Maaza & Fabian I. Ezema

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  1. C. G. Ezema
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Ezema, C.G., Nwanya, A.C., Ezema, B.E. et al. Photo-electrochemical studies of chemically deposited nanocrystalline meso-porous n-type TiO2 thin films for dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) using simple synthesized azo dye. Appl. Phys. A 122, 435 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-016-9965-2

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