Photovoltaic Performance of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC) Fabricated by Silver Nanoclusters-Decorated TiO2 Electrode via Photochemical Reduction Technique

Ehteram, A.; Hamadanian, M.; Mirdamadian, S. Z.; Jabbari, V.

doi:10.7508/jns.2014.01.009

Photovoltaic Performance of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC) Fabricated by Silver Nanoclusters-Decorated TiO2 Electrode via Photochemical Reduction Technique

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

A. Ehteram ¹

M. Hamadanian ²

S. Z. Mirdamadian ³

V. Jabbari ³

¹ Department of Electrical Engineering, Kashan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kashan, IRAN

² Institute of Nanosciences and Nanotechnology, University of Kashan, Kashan, IRAN , Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Kashan, Kashan, IRAN

³ Institute of Nanosciences and Nanotechnology, University of Kashan, Kashan, IRAN

10.7508/jns.2014.01.009

Abstract

In this investigation, Ag@TiO₂ nanocomposite was prepared by deposition of silver nanoclusters onto commercial TiO₂ nanoparticles (known as P25 TiO₂) via photodeposition technique as clean and simple photochemical route. The synthesized Ag@TiO₂ nanocomposite was utilized in the fabrication of dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) chiefly because, compared to pure TiO2, the electron affinity of Ag@TiO₂ nanocomposites is higher which enhances the photo-generated excitons lifetime, and as result, reduces the rate of photo-generated charge carriers recombination. Additionally, we found that via deposition of silver nanoclusters, TiO₂ absorption in visible light region was considerably improved due to the surface Plasmon phenomenon. XRD results proved existence of anatase and rutile phases within TiO₂ structure. Finally, photovoltaic performance and solar energy conversion efficiency of TiO₂ and Ag@TiO₂ electrode-based DSSC were compared and discussed.

Keywords

TiO2

Silver

Photodeposition

DSSC

Photovoltaic