Size controlled synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles by modified solvothermal method towards effective photo catalytic and photovoltaic applications

Size controlled TiO2 nanoparticles have been synthesized by solvothermal method using mixed solvent technique. XRD analysis reveals the effect of annealing temperature on the prepared nanoparticles. High resolution transmission electron microscopy analysis shows that the synthesized particles were of near spherical shape with uniform size distribution. Raman analysis revealed that it has pure anatase phase without any secondary phase. The defect concentration of the TiO2 nanoparticles were studied using PL spectra. XPS analysis were used to study the chemical states of the elements present in the prepared nanoparticles. The prepared TiO2 nanoparticles were used for photocatalytic and photovoltaic applications. Photo catalytic degradation of Methyl orange and Methylene blue dyes were carried out under the influence of UV-A light, photodegradation efficiency of 96.3% and 97% were obtained. The DSSCs exhibited an overall power conversion efficiency of 5.92%. The charge transfer process in the fabricated DSSC were studied by EIS measurements.