TiO2 Nanotube Array as Efficient Transparent Photoanode in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell with High Electron Lifetime

In the present work, the fabrication and characterization of non-curling, free-standing TiO2 nanotube membranes and their integration in front-side illuminated dye-sensitized solar cells are reported. Vertically oriented TiO2 nanotube arrays were fabricated by anodic oxidation of a titanium foil. Nanotube membranes were detached from the metallic foil, transferred and bonded on transparent fluorine-doped tin oxide/glass substrates employing a TiO2 sol as a binder. Crystalline phase and morphology of the film were investigated, evidencing the formation of a highly ordered 1D nanotubes carpet, with a pure anatase crystalline structure. TiO2 nanotube-based DSCs were fabricated using reversible microfuidic architecture. The cell performances were studied by I-V electrical characterization, incident-photon-to-electron conversion efficiency, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and open circuit voltage decay measurements, showing an increase in electron lifetime compared to nanoparticle-based dye-sensitized solar cells.