Modification of the nano-structured TiO ₂ for dye sensitizer solar cell using phthalocyanines as dyes

Abstract

Copper-doped titanium dioxide nanoparticles were successfully prepared. Different concentrations of Cu (0.2 mmol and 0.4 mmol) were mixed with TiO2 nanoparticles and used as photoanodes in dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The study shows that incorporating Cu into TiO2 improves its properties. Cu-TiO2 nanoparticles were prepared using the sol-gel method. Two Cu phthalocyanines containing tetramethylbutyl) phenoxy (CuPc1) and tert butyl phenoxy (CuPc2) each with one phenoxy thioglycolic acid group were used as dyes in DSSCs. The highest peak power generated was observed at 25.21 µW for a cell containing CuPc2, nitrogen quantum dots and Cu (0.4 mmol) dopped TiO2 at the anode. The study revealed that the maximum efficiency of 2.52% was achieved with the maximum Jsc of 0.69 mA.cm−2 and Voc of 499.88 mV for CuPc2 in the presence of nitrogen quantum dots as a co-sensitizer and 0.4 mmol Cu.