Improved performance of quantum dot-sensitized solar cells based on TiO2 nanoparticle/nanorod photoanodes

Herein, a TiO2 nanoparticle/nanorod composite architecture was suggested for improving performance of quantum dot sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs), which was fabricated on transparent conductive glass substrates (PTO) via hydrothermal method followed by spin-coating, and further used as photoanode of QDSSCs. Compared with the TiO2 nanorod photoanode, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the QDSSCs with this architecture was obviously improved. The champion efficiency of 4.42% was achieved, showing a 33.5% enhancement in PCE. The improved PCE mainly resulted from the increase of J(sc), which increased from 9.80 (nanorod architecture) to 15.48 mA/cm(2) (nanoparticle/nanorod composite architecture). The advantages of the composite structure photoanode consist in the superior light scattering capability, faster electron transport and increased photogenerated electron concentration. (C) 2017 Published by Elsevier B.V.