Effect of Cu and Mn amounts doped to TiO2 on the performance of DSSCs

Abstract The effects of the concentrations of different metal dopants on TiO2 and different metal 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen) complexes on dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) yield were investigated. TiO2 were doped with Cu or Mn by different percentages (0.5%, 1%, 2%). Undoped and doped TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized via microwave assisted hydrothermal method and these nanoparticles were used as photoanode by coating FTO glass by spin coater. Synthesized samples were characterized with SEM, EDS, XRD, DRS. DSSCs were prepared with photoanodes which have doped TiO2 nanoparticles as active layer. These photoanodes were sensitized with Phen. Also for comparing, different metal (Cu, Mn or Cr)-Phen complex dyes were used with undoped TiO2, 1% Cu doped TiO2 and 1% Mn doped TiO2 photoanodes. Prepared solar cells were characterized with linear sweep voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. While N719 sensitized 0.5% and 1% Cu or Mn doped TiO2 have more solar conversion efficiency than 2% doped Cu or Mn and undoped TiO2, all Cu or Mn doped TiO2 photoanodes have more efficiency except 2% doped Mn doped TiO2 than undoped TiO2 photoanode when sensitized with Phen by using interaction of Cu or Mn ions with Phen.