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Multi-functional 3D N-doped TiO2 microspheres used as scattering layers for dye-sensitized solar cells

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Abstract

Three-dimensional TiO2 microspheres doped with N were synthesized by a simple single-step solvothermal method and the sample treated for 15 h (hereafter called TMF) was then used as scattering layers in the photoanodes of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The TMF was characterized using scanning electron microscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller measurements, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The TMF had a high surface area of 93.2 m2∙g–1 which was beneficial for more dye-loading. Five photoanode films with different internal structures were fabricated by printing different numbers of TMF scattering layers on fluorine-doped tin oxide glass. UV-vis diffuse reflection spectra, incident photon-to-current efficiencies, photocurrent-voltage curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to investigate the optical and electrochemical properties of these photoanodes in DSSCs. The presence of nitrogen in the TMF changed the TMF microstructure, which led to a higher open circuit voltage and a longer electron lifetime. In addition, the presence of the nitrogen significantly improved the light utilization and photocurrent. The highest photoelectric conversion efficiency achieved was 8.08%, which is much higher than that derived from typical P25 nanoparticles (6.52%).

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Key Project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China for international academic exchanges (Grant Nos. 21676187 and 21476162), and by National Key Technologies R&D Program (No. 51020105010).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300350, China

    Zijian Cui, Kaiyue Zhang, Guangyu Xing, Yaqing Feng & Shuxian Meng

  2. Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tianjin, 300350, China

    Zijian Cui, Kaiyue Zhang, Guangyu Xing, Yaqing Feng & Shuxian Meng

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  1. Zijian Cui
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  2. Kaiyue Zhang
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  3. Guangyu Xing
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Correspondence to Shuxian Meng.

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Cui, Z., Zhang, K., Xing, G. et al. Multi-functional 3D N-doped TiO2 microspheres used as scattering layers for dye-sensitized solar cells. Front. Chem. Sci. Eng. 11, 395–404 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11705-017-1643-1

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