Effects of the morphology and diameter of TiO2 nanofibers as light-scattering layers on the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract

In this study, TiO _2 nanofibers was synthesized using electrospinning method with varying applied voltage (10 kV–20 kV) to obtain high surface-volume ratio and porous material. As the applied voltage increased, diameter of TiO _2 nanofibers decreased and the presence of beads disappeared resulting in homogeneous nanofibers. At applied voltage higher than 16 kV, TiO _2 nanofibers have diameter less than 100 nm. TiO _2 nanofibers are deposited on top of TiO _2 nanoparticles which act as a light-scattering layer. Based on the I–V characteristic, TiO _2 nanofibers produced by applied voltage of 18 kV gives the highest efficiency of 2.38% with J _SC 6.37 mA cm ^−2 , V _OC of 0.74 V and fill factor of 50.54%. Adding the TiO _2 nanofibers as light-scattering layer improve and extend the path of light, thereby increasing the power conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells.

Keywords

• photoanode
• DSSC
• electrospinning
• applied voltage
• TiO2 nanofibers