Nanomultiple CaFe2O4/ZnFe2O4pn junctions are prepared by a pulsed laser deposition method to explore their photoelectrochemical properties as the photoelectrodes. It is demonstrated that the multiple-pn-junction structure is favorable to enhancing the photocurrent density and the onset potential of the photoelectrode. Furthermore, the 20-junction photoelectrode-based PEC cell yields a high open...

We have successfully introduced green phosphors LaPO4:Ce, Tb (G4) or (Mg, Zn)Al11O19:Eu (G2) into TiO2 photoelectrode of dye-sensitized solar cells. The conversion efficiency of the G4-doped device was enhanced by 30% compared with the pristine TiO2 photoelectrode. The green phosphor doped at 5-wt.% ratio contributed to the reduction of resistances of the surface and interface of the photoelect...

Hollow hemispherical titanium dioxide (TiO2) aggregates (HHTAs) consisting of P25 TiO2 nanocrystallites were prepared by a coaxial electrospray method and applied to dyesensitized solar cells (DSCs). Although the photoelectrode film constructed with HHTAs possesses an internal surface area lower than that of one with dispersed P25 TiO2 nanocrystallites and thus achieves less dye adsorption, it ...

Silver deposited titania (Ag/TiO2) nanocomposite thin films were fabricated by the simple sonochemical deposition of Ag on preformed aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposited TiO2 thin films. The photelectrocatalytic performance of a newly fabricated Ag/TiO2-modified photoelectrode was studied for methanol oxidation under simulated solar AM 1.5G irradiation (100 mW/cm2). The Ag/TiO2-modified ph...

We introduce a new photoelectrode architecture consisting of concentric conducting and semiconducting nanotubes for use in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Atomic layer deposition is employed to grow indium tin oxide (ITO) within a porous template and subsequently coat the high area photoelectrode with amorphous TiO 2. Compared with control devices lacking a current collector within the pore...

We applied an automated semiconductor synthesis and screen system to discover overcoating film materials and optimize coating conditions on the BiVO4/WO3 composite photoelectrode to enhance stability and photocurrent. Thirteen metallic elements for overcoating oxides were examined with various coating amounts. The stability of the BiVO4/WO3 photoelectrode in a highly concentrated carbonate elec...

Oxide nanocrystallite aggregates are candidates for use in dye-sensitized solar cells. The aggregates are of submicron size, formed by nano-sized crystallites and, therefore, able to offer both a large specific surface area and desirable size comparable to the wavelength of light. While used for a photoelectrode in a dye-sensitized solar cell, the aggregates can be designed to generate effectiv...

We demonstrate the covalent attachment and catalytic function of a nickel-phosphine H2 evolution catalyst to a p-Si(111) photoelectrode. The covalently assembled semiconductor|molecular construct achieves a synergistic improvement (ΔVonset = +200 mV) as compared to a solution of [(PNP)2Ni](2+) in contact with a p-Si(111)-CH3 photoelectrode.

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are fabricated using a novel 3C-SiC/TiO(2) nanocomposite as a photoelectrode to enhance the power conversion efficiency. Compared with a pristine nanocrystalline TiO(2) cell, a DSSC based on a 3C-SiC (0.04 wt%)/TiO(2) nanocomposite photoelectrode shows ~115% increase in power conversion efficiency.

TiO2-based dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are a promising light harvesting technology that attracts tremendous research interest. The bulk of research however by far focuses on the light absorber and other components of the cell configuration through mostly experimental investigations [1,2]. The structure of DSSCs’ photosensitive component, the photoelectrode, is based on a randomly organiz...