Browsing by Author "Chandrasekera, P.R."

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    Dye Sensitized Solar Cells Based on TiO2 Nanotubes and Enhancement of Efficiency of Solar Cells by the Treatment of Nanotube by TiCI4
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2010) Chandrasekera, P.R.; Akilavasan, J.; Ranasinghe, J.I.; Bandara, J.M.S.
    Introduction of the Dyesensitized solar cells (DSSC) by MichealGreatzel has opened up a new way to convert light energy in to electricity with economically viable cost. DSSC was originally constructed utilizing TiO2nanocrystalline particles as an electron conducting medium. Despite of the high internal surface area, the random nature of the TiO2nanocrystalline particle network results electrons to recombine reducing cell performance. In this investigation, TiO2 nanotubes have been introduced instead of TiO2 nanoparticles as they provide straight pathway to electron transport reducing charge recombination. TiO2nanotubes were synthesized via hydrothermaltreatment.Theformation of nearly 10 nm diameter nanotubes was confirmed by Scanning Electron Microscopy analysis. TiO2 nanotube based electrode was prepared by freeze drying the nanotube precipitate and re-suspends in water by ultrasoneing followed by electrophoretic deposition onto a conducting substrate (FTO) as anode and Pt as cathode. The optimum electro deposition potential, electrolyteand time was found to be 40 V, nanotube suspension and methanol 3:1 (v/v) ratio and 7 minutes respectively. The electrode was sensitized with cis-bis(isothiocyanato)bis(2,21-bipyridy1-4,4'-dicarboxylato)-ruthenium(11) dye (N3) and iodine/triiodine redox couple was used as an electrolyte. Solar cell fabricated with TiO2 nanotubes and sensitized with N3 dye showed an open circuit voltage (V„) of 820 mV and short circuit photocurrent density (Jsc) of 0.92 mA/cm2 under 1.5 AM G irradiation. The solar cell device fabricated with TiCI4 treated nanotube electrode showed V„of 804 mV and I„of 5.44 mA/cm2. The treatment of TiO2 nanotube electrode with TiCI4 resulted in increase in solar cell efficiency from 0.52 % to 2 %. Keywords: Hydrothermal, Nanocrystalline, Nanotube, TiCI4 treatment