TiO2 and TiO2/SiO2 nanoparticles obtained by sol–gel method and applied on dye sensitized solar cells

In this work we show the synthesis and characterization of TiO2 and TiO2/SiO2 nanoparticles synthesized by sol–gel method using HF and HCl as catalysts. The obtained nanoparticles were analyzed by N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms, transmission electronic microscopy, Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometry. Mesoporous, homogeneously polycondensed TiO2/SiO2 materials, containing nanocrystalline anatase phase with band gap similar to pure titania were obtained. Films of the powdered oxides were applied to assemble dye sensitized solar cells that presented electrical parameters, Fill Factor and efficiencies similar to devices obtained by only TiO2. The sol–gel route arises as an alternative way to prepare TiO2/SiO2 materials for solar cells.