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Reduced graphene oxide wrapped hierarchical TiO 2 nanorod composites for improved charge collection efficiency and carrier lifetime in dye sensitized solar cells

Mohan Raj Subramaniam, Duraisamy Kumaresan, Sathiskumar Jothi Orcid Logo, James D. McGettrick, Trystan Watson Orcid Logo

Applied Surface Science, Volume: 428, Pages: 439 - 447

Swansea University Authors: Sathiskumar Jothi Orcid Logo, Trystan Watson Orcid Logo

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DOI (Published version): 10.1016/j.apsusc.2017.09.142

Abstract

Three dimensional hierarchical TiO2 nanorods-reduced graphene oxide (HTNs-rGO) composites with different rGO wt% were directly grown on conducting glass substrate by an in situ hydrothermal process for improved charge separation and collection in dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The crystal struc...

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Published in: Applied Surface Science
ISSN: 0169-4332
Published: 2018
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URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa35621
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Abstract: Three dimensional hierarchical TiO2 nanorods-reduced graphene oxide (HTNs-rGO) composites with different rGO wt% were directly grown on conducting glass substrate by an in situ hydrothermal process for improved charge separation and collection in dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The crystal structure and chemical composition of as grown composites were confirmed by X-ray diffraction and optical studies. Electron microscopic studies on the composites surface morphologies revealed the formation of rGO wrapped or intertwined HTNs architectures onto the FTO substrates with thicknesses ranging from 14.33 to 15.70 μm. 2 wt% rGO loaded HTNs composite photoanode showed a superior power conversion efficiency of 4.54% as compared to the other wt% rGO loaded HTNs composite and bare HTNs photoanodes in DSSCs. This is due to optimal loading of rGO facilitating formation of a better charge transport channel within HTNs matrix and reducing charge transport resistance (Rtr), which resulted in a higher charge collection of HTNs-rGO composite. Besides, the solar cell current-voltage (J-V) and electrochemical impedance characterizations confirmed the superior light scattering and dye loading capabilities of HTNs, together with a low charge transport resistance and improved charge carrier lifetime in HTNs-rGO composites contributed to the photovoltaic performance enhancement of their DSSCs. Reduced graphene oxide incorporated hierarchical TiO2 nanorods based nanocomposites for improving the charge collection efficiency and photovoltaic performance in dye sensitized solar cells are introduced.
Keywords: Hierarchical TiO2 nanorods; reduced graphene oxide; hydrothermal; charge collection efficiency; dye-sensitized solar cells
College: Faculty of Science and Engineering
Start Page: 439
End Page: 447

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