Green synthesis and dye-sensitized solar cell application of rutile and anatase TiO2 nanorods

Nanorods (NRs) of TiO2 have biogenically been prepared, i.e., from the extract of Phellinus linteus mushroom. The presence of mixed anatase and rutile TiO2 phases, rod-type crystallites, and 114.16 g/cm2 and 3.7-nm surface area and pore-diameter is evidenced by various measurements. The dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) is fabricated using as-prepared TiO2 NR-based photoanode in the presence of N719 sensitizing dye prepared in 0.5 M lithium iodide and 0.05 M iodine with acetonitrile as redox electrolyte. Solar-to-electrical energy conversion efficiency (η%) of 3.8 % is recorded and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) curve obtained for TiO2-based DSSCs is fitted using an equivalent circuit for explaining various electrical parameters involved in developed DSSC.