Titanium Dioxide One-Dimensional Nanostructures as Photoanodes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract

Herein, we reviewed the titanium dioxide one-dimensional nanostructures which are commonly applied as photoanodes for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Titanium dioxide is the commonly used semiconductor electrode due to its low toxicity, mechanical stability, and availability during DSSCs application. The efficiency of the DSSCs having a titanium dioxide photoanode is mainly determined by the changes in the short circuit current (Jsc). The TiO2 nanoparticles have shown an efficiency of 12 % which is the highest. Other nanostructures such as nanotubes (11.05 %), nanowires (8.90 %), and nanofibers (8.0 %) have also been used as anodes. The TiO2 nanostructures have a high surface area that enhances dye loading but also increases the short circuit current hence leading to a high conversion efficiency. This review also introduces the commonly used characterization techniques for titanium dioxide one-dimensional nanostructures which explain crystal orientation, morphology, surface functional groups, surface area, elemental composition, and other chemical properties.