Effects of anodization growth of TiO2-nanotube array membrane on photo-conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cell

Membranes of TiO 2 nanotube(NT) arrays were grown by potentiostatic anodic oxidation in an ethylene glycol electrolyte with small addition of H 2 O and NH 4 F. Ti metal plate with a thickness of 0.1 mm was completely converted into ≈0.2 mm-thick TiO 2 NT membrane for 24 to 96 h of anodization. Stacked NTs in membrane were separated into individual NT from the neighboring NTs as anodization continues up to 96 h. As-fabricated membrane of NTs were mechanically grinded to yield fine NT particles for the photoanode application to dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs), in replacement of conventional TiO 2 particles. Photo-conversion efficiency of the DSC using TiO 2 crystalline NT particles is varying from 2.22% to 5.03%. Fine TiO 2 NT particles can increase dye attachment due to high surface to volume ratio.