Few-layered graphene decked with TiO sub(2) nano particles by ultrasonic assisted synthesis and its dye-sensitized solar cell application

Few-layered graphene (FLG, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 wt%)/titania (TiO sub(2)) nanocomposites were prepared by ultrasonic assisted synthesis. The phase and compositional analysis of FLG/TiO sub(2) nanocomposites were performed with X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy, optical properties carried out by UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectra and functional groups identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Surface morphologies were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The prepared FLG/TiO sub(2) nanocomposites were used as working electrodes to form thin films deposited onto fluorine doped tin oxide through a doctor blade technique. The assembled solar cell, current density-voltage characteristics were measured with N719 dye under AM 1.5G, 100 m W/m super(2) of the solar simulator. The efforts showed that the optimized eta was observed to be 6.70 % in appropriate with FLG (1.0 wt%)/TiO sub(2) working electrode, compared to the TiO sub(2) working electrode. However, by increasing wt% of FLG the eta was decreased due to the surface interaction of FLG with TiO sub(2) NPs. The results revealed that the FLG (1.0 wt%)/TiO sub(2) working electrode has increased the electron charge transport rate which further leads to enhanced eta of DSSC.