Preparation and modification of TiO₂ thin film electrode in dye-sensitized solar cell and its photoelectrochemical properties

The tetraisopropyl titanate was used as titaniume source to prepare the TiO₂ nanomaterial by the hydrothermal method. The TiO₂ crystal is anatase. In order to enhance the electrode's photoelectrochemical performance, the metal nickel doping and superficial gable neodymium oxide were used. The experimental results indicate that the nanometer TiO₂ pellets have all the same shape and a particle size of approximately 17-18 nm. After nickel doping, the granularity increased obviously, but still maintained the even condition and the vesicular structure. Compared with the ordinary TiO₂ thin film electrode, the metal doping and the superficial gable is helpful for separating the electron and the hole. The solar cell's short circuit photoelectric current enhanced by 16% and the electro-optic transfer efficiency enhanced by 17%.