Comparative study of the morphological and optical properties of RE3+ (=ND3+, DY3+) doped TiO2: A pursuit for suitable anode material for DSSCs

[Display omitted] •Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs) are the hope of renewable energy production.•Doping Rare Earth Elements(REEs) Nd3+ and Dy3+ narrows the bandgap of TiO2.•Doping REEs enhances the efficiency of DSSCs by modifying surface and morphology. Nano scaled trivalent Rare-earth Elements (RE3+ = Nd3+ and Dy3+) doped TiO2 anode materials were synthesized by hydrothermal method and characterized to analyze the morphological and optical properties. Having N719 as the dye and Platinum as counter electrode, the solar cells were fabricated to harness the solar energy. The reduction in bandgap and the enhanced efficiency of DSSCs in the TiO2-dye-electrolyte system were analyzed. Nd3+ doped TiO2 exhibits the desired results and superior efficiency than the pure and Dy3+ doped TiO2. Thus comparing the materials’ morphological and optical properties as well as the solar cell efficiency, Nd3+ doped TiO2 proved to be an improved anode material for the fabrication of DSSCs.