Enhancing interparticle connectivity in TiO2 film in preparation of photoanode for dye sensitized solar cell
Vivekanand Gondane
Department of Physics,
Dada Ramchand Bakhru Sindhu Mahavidyalaya, Panchpaoli, Nagpur-17
Abstract:
In dye sensitized solar cells the electron transport through the particulate network in the TiO2 film depends upon the interparticle connectivity and is of prime importance for the cell performance. Thus, to enhance particle connectivity we have explored a hybrid technique using in-situ combustion by incorporation of relevant additive in the TiO2 film in dye sensitized solar cells. In situ solution combustion synthesis in the TiO2 film itself has been used to prepare nanosized TiO2 by using titanyl nitrate[ TiO(NO3)2] and glycine (H2N-CH2-COOH). This in situ combustion synthesis is aimed to introduce small sized TiO2 nanoparticle among larger TiO2 nanoaggregate facilitating to enhance interparticle connectivity. Moreover, the combustion synthesis being an exothermic process; the localized heat generated during synthesis varies from 1000 to 1800 K. This heat produced during synthesis in the TiO2 film could achieve neck formation among TiO2 nanoparticles. The current increment observed was from 4.57 mA cm-2 to 6.77 mA cm-2 while the efficiency enhanced from 2.53% to 3.44% with the increment of titanyl nitrate from 0 to 30 wt%.
Keywords: Dye sensitized solar cells, combustion synthesis, and interparticle connectivity
DOI link – https://doi.org/10.69758/GIMRJ/2504I5VXIIIP0100
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