TiO2 nanotube-based dye solar cell research in South Africa

Abstract

Vertically orientated titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanotubes hold great potential for application in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) as they provide an unscathed, one-dimensional transport route for photo-generated charge carriers, thereby increasing the conversion efficiency of the solar cell. However, coating of these nanotubes with thin layers of insulating metal-oxides is considered by our group as the next breakthrough in enhancing the photon-to-electron conversion efficiency of the DSC. For this reason, rigorous studies are currently in progress to study the physical and chemical properties of core-shelled TiO2 nanoparticles, with the aim of applying of this knowledge to the nanotubes. In this work an investigation was launched into the synthesis of the nanotubes via anodization under varying experimental conditions and some results on the core-shelling of TiO2 nanoparticles were also be presented.