Synthesis of anatase TiO2 microspheres and their efficient performance in dye-sensitized solar cell

Nanomaterials play important role in performance of dye-sensitized solar cells. In this paper, highly phase pure anatase TiO2 microspheres were synthesized using a low-cost hydrothermal route. Initially, X-ray diffraction studies and Raman spectroscopic analysis were carried out, and the formation of tetragonal structure of TiO2 with the anatase phase was confirmed. The UV–Vis DRS studies showed the excellent reflectance and optical band-gap energy of 3.29 eV. The well-interconnected spherical nanoparticles with different sizes were examined by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopic analysis. The fabricated dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) composed of prepared TiO2 microspheres as photoanode exhibited a higher power conversion efficiency (PCE) (η) of 5.4% as compared to commercial P25 with PCE of 3.6%. The higher Jsc (12.03 mA/cm2) in the fabricated DSSC due to efficient dye loading capacity and high light-scattering property was also observed.