UV Treatment Effect on TiO[sub 2] Electrodes in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells with N719 Sensitizer Investigated by Infrared Absorption Spectroscopy

cis-di͑thiocyanato͒bis͑2,2Ј-bipyridyl-4,4Љ-dicarboxylate͒rutheniumu͑II͒ ͑N719͒ adsorption on anatase TiO 2 electrodes in dyesensitized solar cells has been investigated using infrared absorption spectroscopy with a multiple internal reflection technique.We have found that the N719 dye dissociatively adsorbs on OH sites to the TiO 2 surfaces with its carboxy group.The intentional generation of the OH sites on the TiO 2 electrodes with a photocatalytic reaction by UV irradiation in air prior to the N719 dye adsorption is effective in increasing the short-circuit current of the dye-sensitized solar cells.