Synthesis of anatase TiO2 microspheres and their efficient performance in dye-sensitized solar cell

Nanomaterials play important role in performance of dye-sensitized solar cells. In this paper, highly phase pure anatase TiO₂ microspheres were synthesized using a low-cost hydrothermal route. Initially, X-ray diffraction studies and Raman spectroscopic analysis were carried out, and the formation of tetragonal structure of TiO₂ with the anatase phase was confirmed. The UV–Vis DRS studies showed the excellent reflectance and optical band-gap energy of 3.29 eV. The well-interconnected spherical nanoparticles with different sizes were examined by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopic analysis. The fabricated dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) composed of prepared TiO₂ microspheres as photoanode exhibited a higher power conversion efficiency (PCE) (η) of 5.4% as compared to commercial P25 with PCE of 3.6%. The higher J_sc (12.03 mA/cm²) in the fabricated DSSC due to efficient dye loading capacity and high light-scattering property was also observed.