Niobium-Doped (001)-Dominated Anatase TiO2 Nanosheets as Photoelectrode for Efficient Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.

Title Niobium-Doped (001)-Dominated Anatase TiO2 Nanosheets as Photoelectrode for Efficient Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.
Authors L. Jiang; L. Sun; D. Yang; J. Zhang; Y.J. Li; K. Zou; W.Q. Deng
Journal ACS Appl Mater Interfaces
DOI 10.1021/acsami.6b14147
Abstract

TiO2 nanocrystals with different reactive facets have attracted extensive interest since they were first synthesized. The anatase TiO2 nanocrystals with (001) or (100) dominate facets were considered to be excellent electrode materials to enhance the cell performance of dye-sensitized solar cells. However, which reactive facet presents the best surface for benefiting photovoltaic effect is still unknown. We report a systematic study of various anatase TiO2 surfaces interacting with N719 dye by means of density functional theory calculations in combination with microscopic techniques. The (001) surface interacting with N719 would have the lowest work function, leading to the best photovoltaic performances. To further increase the efficiency, Nb dopant was incorporated into the anatase TiO2 nanocrystals. Based on the theoretical prediction, we proposed and demonstrated novel Nb-doped (001)-dominated anatase TiO2 nanosheets as photoelectrode in a dye-sensitized solar cell to further enhance the open-circuit voltage. And a power conversion efficiency of 10% was achieved, which was 22% higher than that of the undoped device (P25 as an electrode).

Citation L. Jiang; L. Sun; D. Yang; J. Zhang; Y.J. Li; K. Zou; W.Q. Deng.Niobium-Doped (001)-Dominated Anatase TiO2 Nanosheets as Photoelectrode for Efficient Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2017;9(11):95769583. doi:10.1021/acsami.6b14147

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Niobium

See more Niobium products. Niobium (atomic symbol: Nb, atomic number: 41) is a Block D, Group 5, Period 5 element with an atomic weight of 92.90638. Niobium Bohr ModelThe number of electrons in each of niobium's shells is 2, 8, 18, 12, 1 and its electron configuration is [Kr] 4d4 5s1. The niobium atom has a radius of 146 pm and a Van der Waals radius of 207 pm. Niobium was discovered by Charles Hatchett in 1801 and first isolated by Christian Wilhelm Blomstrand in 1864. In its elemental form, niobium has a gray metallic appearance. Niobium has the largest magnetic penetration depth of any element and is one of three elemental type-II superconductors (Elemental Niobiumalong with vanadium and technetium). Niobium is found in the minerals pyrochlore, its main commercial source, and columbite. The word Niobium originates from Niobe, daughter of mythical Greek king Tantalus.

Titanium

See more Titanium products. Titanium (atomic symbol: Ti, atomic number: 22) is a Block D, Group 4, Period 4 element with an atomic weight of 47.867. The number of electrons in each of Titanium's shells is [2, 8, 10, 2] and its electron configuration is [Ar] 3d2 4s2. Titanium Bohr ModelThe titanium atom has a radius of 147 pm and a Van der Waals radius of 187 pm. Titanium was discovered by William Gregor in 1791 and first isolated by Jöns Jakob Berzelius in 1825. In its elemental form, titanium has a silvery grey-white metallic appearance. Titanium's properties are chemically and physically similar to zirconium, both of which have the same number of valence electrons and are in the same group in the periodic table. Elemental TitaniumTitanium has five naturally occurring isotopes: 46Ti through 50Ti, with 48Ti being the most abundant (73.8%). Titanium is found in igneous rocks and the sediments derived from them. It is named after the word Titanos, which is Greek for Titans.

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