Highly ordered anodized Nb2O5 nanochannels for dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract

Highly ordered anodized Nb2O5 nanochannels are synthesized and utilized as the photoanodes for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). We characterize these DSSCs to determine the optimum photoanode thickness for the best cell performance. The samples with thicknesses from 5 to 25 μm are obtained in glycerol based electrolyte at 180 C and their photoconversion properties are investigated utilizing various techniques including photocurrent-voltage characteristic, photovoltage decay and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Overall, the DSSC incorporating a 10 μm thick Nb2O5 photoanode shows the highest efficiency of 4.48%. We analyze the factors that limit the efficiency of DSSCs. © 2013 Elsevi..