Improved performance of quantum dot-sensitized solar cells based on TiO2 nanoparticle/nanorod photoanodes

Herein, a TiO 2 nanoparticle/nanorod composite architecture was suggested for improving performance of quantum dot sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs), which was fabricated on transparent conductive glass substrates (FTO) via hydrothermal method followed by spin-coating, and further used as photoanode of QDSSCs. Compared with the TiO 2 nanorod photoanode, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the QDSSCs with this architecture was obviously improved. The champion efficiency of 4.42% was achieved, showing a 33.5% enhancement in PCE. The improved PCE mainly resulted from the increase of J sc , which increased from 9.80 (nanorod architecture) to 15.48 mA/cm 2 (nanoparticle/nanorod composite architecture). The advantages of the composite structure photoanode consist in the superior light scattering capability, faster electron transport and increased photogenerated electron concentration.