A Study on Cu Thin-Film Electroplated TiO<sub>2</sub> Photoanodes for Applications in Natural Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

A Study on Cu Thin-Film Electroplated TiO<sub>2</sub> Photoanodes for Applications in Natural Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Improving the performance of TiO<sub>2</sub> photoanodes via the inclusion of metal particles on the electrode surface could provide significant advantages for the development of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). We studied a TiO<sub>2</sub>/Cu film electrode prepared by el...

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Main Authors: M. D. P. A. Shakya, K. M. D. C. Jayathilaka, W. T. R. S. Fernando, W. T. M. A. P. K. Wanninayake, L. S. R. Kumara, O. Seo, J. Tang, O. Sakata, W. P. Siripala, R. P. Wijesundera
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Crystals
Subjects:
copper
electrodeposition
photovoltaic
titanium dioxide
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4352/15/1/28
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Summary:Improving the performance of TiO<sub>2</sub> photoanodes via the inclusion of metal particles on the electrode surface could provide significant advantages for the development of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). We studied a TiO<sub>2</sub>/Cu film electrode prepared by electrodepositing Cu particles on a TiO<sub>2</sub> film on an indium-doped tin oxide (ITO) substrate. Cu particles were electrodeposited on a TiO<sub>2</sub> electrode at −700 mV vs. a Ag/AgCl electrode in an acetate bath, with the pH adjusted between 6.3 and 7.7 in 0.2 increments to optimize the deposition conditions. TiO<sub>2</sub>/Cu thin-film electrodes were tested as a photo anode in a natural DSSC consisting of a carbon counter electrode, <i>Vitis vinifera</i> dye, and a KI/I<sub>2</sub>-based electrolyte. Film characterization was performed using hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAXPES), grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), and photocurrent density–voltage (J–V) measurements. DSSCs with Cu particles containing TiO<sub>2</sub> electrodes prepared using an acetate bath of pH 7.3 resulted in a 370% improvement in efficiency compared to the DSSCs without Cu particles. Thus, this study revealed that incorporating Cu particles into the surface of the TiO<sub>2</sub> electrode enhances the photovoltaic performance of DSSCs.
ISSN:2073-4352

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