Synthesis of TiO2 nanotube arrays and its application in mini-3D dye-sensitized solar cells

Here we report a mini-three-dimensional dye-sensitized solar cell (3D DSSC) based on TiO2 nanotube arrays (TNAs). TNAs were directly grown on spiral-shaped titanium wire via a facile potentiostatic anodization. Furthermore, the TNAs film was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy, indicating that the annealed TNAs were composed of single-crystalline anatase particles. Unlike conventional flat DSSC, this mini-3D DSSC could easily hold liquid electrolyte due to the capillary force which facilitated sealing the cell. This mini-3D DSSC showed an energy conversion efficiency of 4.1% under the AM 1.5 condition, which was much higher compared with that (3.2%) of the backside illuminated TNAs based DSSC of the same projected area.