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Characterization of TiO2 Photoelectrodes Fabricated via a Low Temperature Sintering Process

Patha, Venu Gopal
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ysu1310266733

Abstract Details

2011, Master of Science in Chemistry, Youngstown State University, Department of Chemistry.
TiO2 photoanodes used for water-splitting solar cells or dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) have to meet the following properties to assure high efficiency: good connection between TiO2 grains and a large inner surface area, TiO2 grain shape and film conductivity. Nanocrystalline TiO2 films are usually prepared by adding an organic binder to TiO2 paste on glass substrates, and followed by heating at temperatures ranging from 450 to 500 °C. The organic binder is used to increase viscosity, enabling the formation of uniform TiO2 films. Heat treatment is used to sinter the nanoparticles, as well as burn out the organic binder. In the case of composite formulations involving organic polymer electrolyte membranes, the conventional preparation technology is not suitable, because of the low temperature resistance of the polymer, on order of 150 °C. Therefore, to make thick TiO2 films with good interconnection between the nanoparticles at low temperature, it is essential to enhance the viscosity of TiO2 colloidal solution without using an organic binder. Possible approaches are developed by using acid-base chemistry, where the viscosity of acidic TiO2 colloidal solution is monitored while adding ammonia solution which acts as a base. Thus the processed TiO2 photoanode was assembled into a photoelectrochemical cell and tested by measuring I-V characteristics under illumination by white light from a solar simulator. TGA, DSC, IR, XRF, XRD and SEM analyses were performed to characterize the films. The low temperature process yielded titania films that were comparable to the conventional high temperature method.
Clovis Linkous, PhD (Advisor)
Timothy Wagner, PhD (Committee Member)
Larry Curtin, PhD (Committee Member)
Howard Mettee, PhD (Committee Member)
71 p.
Chemistry; Materials Science; Nanoscience
Characterization; TiO2; Photoelectrodes

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Patha, V. G. (2011). Characterization of TiO2 Photoelectrodes Fabricated via a Low Temperature Sintering Process [Master's thesis, Youngstown State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ysu1310266733

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Patha, Venu Gopal. Characterization of TiO2 Photoelectrodes Fabricated via a Low Temperature Sintering Process. 2011. Youngstown State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ysu1310266733.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Patha, Venu Gopal. "Characterization of TiO2 Photoelectrodes Fabricated via a Low Temperature Sintering Process." Master's thesis, Youngstown State University, 2011. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ysu1310266733

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ysu1310266733
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© 2011, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Youngstown State University and OhioLINK.