Effects of modified TiO2 photoanode on the photoelectrochemical properties of dye sensitized solar cells

The study of nanoporous TiO2 electrodes modified by magnesium and manganese acetates in dye sensitized solar cells was reported. The formation and composition of modified electrodes were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction, revealing that MgO and Mn(OH)O were formed after magnesium acetate and manganese acetate treatments. Sunlight absorbance was also enhanced after such modification as supported by UV-vis spectra. The effects of modification include the increase of the dye adsorption, open circuit voltage, short-circuit current density, and photoelectric conversion efficiency of the fabricated devices. The mechanisms of electron transfer, charge recombination, and electron lifetime were investigated by dark current and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. (C) 2015 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.