Fabrication of stable electrospun TiO2 nanorods for high-performance dye-sensitized solar cells

Macromolecular Research volume 21, pages636–640(2013)Cite this article

Abstract

TiO2 multi-electrodes composed of nanoparticles and nanorods were prepared for use as electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) in an effort to improve the light-to-electricity conversion efficiency. TiO2 nanorods have been successfully prepared via electrospinning methods using a solution containing titanium isopropoxide (TIP). Acetic acid is generally used as a catalyst in sol-gel processes involving TIP; however, acetic acid induces rapid solidification of the sol solution, resulting in clogging of the nozzle during electrospinning, thereby hindering the mass production of TiO2 nanorods. In this work, we introduced acetyl acetone as a new catalyst and optimized the electrospinning conditions of TiO2 nanofibers. The use of acetyl acetone catalysts dramatically extended the solidification time of the TIP sol solution. The DSSC efficiency was improved through the use of TiO2 multi-electrodes.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Energy and Chemical Engineering, University of Incheon, Incheon, 406-772, Korea

    Yeong Don Park

  2. Department of Organic Materials and Fiber Engineering, Soongsil University, Seoul, 156-743, Korea

    Keita Anabuki & Jooyong Kim

  3. School of Architecture, Soongsil University, Seoul, 156-743, Korea

    Sumin Kim

  4. Department of Chemical Engineering, Soongsil University, Seoul, 156-743, Korea

    Kyung-Won Park

  5. Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Dankook University, Gyeonggi, 448-701, Korea

    Dong Hyun Lee

  6. SKKU Advanced Institute of Nanotechnology (SAINT) and Center for Human Interface Nano Technology (HINT), School of Chemical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Gyeonggi, 440-746, Korea

    Soong Ho Um & Jeong Ho Cho

Authors
  1. Yeong Don Park
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  2. Keita Anabuki
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  3. Sumin Kim
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  4. Kyung-Won Park
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  5. Dong Hyun Lee
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  6. Soong Ho Um
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  7. Jooyong Kim
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  8. Jeong Ho Cho
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Jooyong Kim or Jeong Ho Cho.

Additional information

Y. D. Park and K. Anabuki contributed equally to this work.

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Park, Y.D., Anabuki, K., Kim, S. et al. Fabrication of stable electrospun TiO2 nanorods for high-performance dye-sensitized solar cells. Macromol. Res. 21, 636–640 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13233-013-1066-x

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Keywords

  • TiO2 nanorod
  • electrospinning
  • dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC)
  • sol-gel process
  • acetyl acetone