TiO₂ nanotubes have been now an attractive nanostructured material due to their unique opto-electronic catalytic ability, compatibility to particle materials and feasibility to fabricate. However, these advantages were usually limited by morphological and structural defects from the electrochemical anodization method. More detailed understandings of the tube formation process are also needed. We have systematically investigated the tube formation with varying conditions. Beside discovery of new nanosphere structure, we have systematically investigated the spontaneous oscillating phenomena in potentiostatic anodization of TiO₂ tubes. Consequently, we have established a novel comprehensive physical and chemical method that effectively influences the morphology and structural properties of TiO₂ nanotubes. With assistance of periodical anodic voltage and moderate mechanical stirring, the efficiency of dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) can be significantly enhanced. For instance, the efficiency of DSSC with small TiO₂ islands in the anode can be 114% higher than the control sample. This method has also turned the efficiency of DSSC with TiO₂ nanotubes by low temperature current annealing into announceable value (from 2.05% to 3.51%).

Date Published: 16 December 2013
PDF: 6 pages
Proc. SPIE 9068, Eighth International Conference on Thin Film Physics and Applications, 906802 (16 December 2013); doi: 10.1117/12.2054137

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 9068:
Eighth International Conference on Thin Film Physics and Applications
Junhao Chu; Chunrui Wang, Editor(s)