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The increased interface charge transfer in dye-sensitized solar cells based on well-ordered TiO2 nanotube arrays with different lengths

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 March 2014

Lihong Qi ,
Zhuoxun Yin ,
Shen Zhang ,
Qiuyun Ouyang ,
Chunyan Li  and
Yujin Chen
Lihong Qi*
Affiliation:
College of Science, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, People's Republic of China
Zhuoxun Yin
Affiliation:
College of Science, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, People's Republic of China
Shen Zhang
Affiliation:
College of Science, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, People's Republic of China
Qiuyun Ouyang
Affiliation:
College of Science, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, People's Republic of China
Chunyan Li*
Affiliation:
College of Science, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, People's Republic of China
Yujin Chen
Affiliation:
College of Science, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, People's Republic of China
*
a)Address all correspondence to this author. e-mail: lihongqi@hrbeu.edu.cn
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Abstract

The well-ordered TiO2 nanotube arrays with controlled aspect ratio are fabricated via potentiostatic anodization. The aspect ratio of TiO2 nanotube array can be tuned conveniently by changing the water content in electrolyte and anodization time. The formation of well-ordered TiO2 nanotube array is good for the photogenerated electron transfer. So, the well-ordered TiO2 nanotube array photoelectrodes have been used to fabricate dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). It is found that, with the optimum nanotube length and aspect ratio, DSSCs with TiO2 nanotube array photoelectrodes show better photoelectric conversion efficiency (2.60%) than that with TiO2 nanoparticles on Ti foil photoelectrode. It is elucidated by the interfacial electron transport of DSSCs, which are characterized quantitatively, using the electrochemical impedance spectra. The DSSC with optimal nanotube length and aspect ratio displays the fastest interfacial electron transfer and longer electron lifetime.

Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Materials Research , Volume 29 , Issue 6 , 28 March 2014 , pp. 745 - 752
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2014 

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References

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