Effect of neodymium on the photoconversion efficiency of TiO2 based dye sensitized solar cells

Extensive efforts are being made in enhancing the photoconversion efficiency of TiO2 based dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC) using different approaches. In this work, the TiO2 nanopowder was sensitized with rare earth metal and DSSC characteristics were studied. Commercial powder (P25) was calcined at 450 degrees C and sensitized with Nd. X-ray diffraction, UV-Vis, FTIR and Raman scattering were used to characterize nanopowder and found that Nd-sensitization resulted in formation of additional absorption/vibrational bands. The photocurrent-voltage characteristics were measured under simulated light using source-meter. It is interesting to note that the photoconversion efficiency has doubled when commercial powder was just calcined. When the powder was sensitized with Nd, efficiency has tremendously increased to 4.51 % for commercial powder and 9.10 % for calcined powder indicating the effect of Nd-sensitization. The results of various analysis techniques and cell characteristics are correlated.