Fabrication of novel Ag TiO sub(2) nanobelts as a photoanode for enhanced photovoltage performance in dye sensitized solar cells

TiO sub(2) nanobelts (TiO sub(2)NBs) were successfully prepared using a solvothermal route via Ti foil as substrate in large scales. The morphology evolution process and formation mechanism of the as-obtained products were investigated in detail. On the basis of this novel structure, chemical sensitive Ag modified TiO sub(2)NBs nanocomposites (Agsingle bond TiO sub(2)NBs) were fabricated. It was found that Agsingle bond TiO sub(2)NBs exhibit strong light absorption and efficient electron transport. According to Mott-Schottky analysis, Agsingle bond TiO sub(2)NBs show less surface trapping sites compared with TiO sub(2)NBs. The Agsingle bond TiO sub(2)NBs photoanode fabricated in 0.01 M AgNO sub(3) demonstrates the best performance with a short-circuit current of 11.9 mA cm super(-2) corresponding to a photoelectric conversion efficiency of 4.89%, which is higher than that of pure TiO sub(2)NBs based solar cell by 60%.