Silver doped TiO₂nano crystallites for dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) applications

Abstract

This communication deals with the synthesis of Ag doped TiO 2 nanoparticles with different doping concentrations prepared by reduction method for the possible usage of photo anode material in DSSC. The prepared nanoparticles are characterized by x-ray diffraction to study their structural properties which confirms the formation of mixed anatase-rutile crystalline phases. The particulate size, shape and surface morphology are examined using FESEM which indicates agglomerated nanostructures with the average particle size of 20–25 nm. The UV–visible absorption spectra showed enhanced absorption in the visible range in accordance with the doping concentration of Ag with a red shift in their absorption edge. The interfacial charge transport phenomena of the DSSCs are determined by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and the corresponding efficiencies are calculated using J – V curve. In the present work, the UV active TiO 2 and Ag doped TiO 2 nanoparticles are employed as photoanode for the fabrication of DSSCs based on N3 dye and maximum power conversion efficiency of 1.544% is realized.