Synthesis Of Tio2 Nanotube Arrays And Preparation Of Agar Based Gel Polymer Electrolyte For Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell
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Date
2011-05
Authors
Jeremy Koh, Chee Hao
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Abstract
In the current study, air-cathode is used to synthesize titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanotube arrays. Effect of pH and voltage in tailoring the morphologies of TiO2 nanotube arrays is investigated. Furthermore, the stability of air-cathodes at different anodization conditions is investigated for the first time. Preliminary results show that self-aligned TiO2 nanotube arrays formed is comparable to those synthesized by platinum electrode under similar conditions. The lengths and diameters of TiO2 nanotube arrays are in the range of 1.0˗2.2 μm and 50˗100 nm, respectively. Air-cathodes are found to have low value of mass loss rates, with mean values in the range of 0.04˗0.08 mg cm-2 h-1. As-anodized TiO2 nanotube arrays are formed as amorphous structures at 20 and 30 V, although anatase and rutile structures could be formed at 40-70 V. Gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) is prepared based on BACTO agar as polymer host encapsulating liquid electrolyte to introduce mechanical stability. Concentrations of NaI (0-2 M) and I2 (0-70 μL) are varied to obtain a combination of NaI + I2 with the best conductivity while maintaining good mechanical strength on the GPE. The GPE is optimized with BACTO + 1.6 M NaI + 50 μL I2 recording ionic conductivity of 1.22 × 10-3 S cm-1. Conductivity-temperature study reveals that the GPEs are thermally activated and Arrhenius while linear sweep voltammetry results suggest that the operating potential window for the GPEs sample are between 1.85–1.89 V at temperature 298–353 K. Finally, the current-voltage plot of assembled QSSC shows photocurrent response under illumination.
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Keywords
Tio2 Nanotube Arrays , Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell