Hierarchical Rutile TiO2 Nanoflowers vs. Anatase TiO2 Nanoparticles for Enhanced Efficiency in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell

Abstract

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanostructures are critical components in photoanode layer of dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC), yet the relationship between their morphology and photovoltaic performance remains an area of significant research interest. This study investigates and compares the morphological, structural and photovoltaic properties of anatase TiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs), deposited via screen-printing and rutile TiO₂ nanoflowers (NFs), synthesized through a hydrothermal method for DSSC applications. The results demonstrate that the hierarchical nanoflower architecture of rutile TiO₂ significantly enhances the effective surface area, leading to a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 4.11%, which substantially outperforms the PCE of 1.19% achieved by anatase TiO₂ NPs. These findings highlight the critical role of morphology in DSSC performance and establish hierarchical rutile TiO₂ nanostructures as promising photoanode materials for high-efficiency DSSC.