Synthesis and Characterization of Cerium Oxide Impregnated Titanium Oxide Photoanodes for Efficient Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Cerium oxide (CeO2) nanoparticles (NPs) were mixed with titanium dioxide (TiO2) in different wt.% to obtain an improved composite photoanode with better electron-injection property. Using these composite photoanode materials, dye-sensitized solar cells were fabricated, and photovoltaic performances were evaluated. For performance comparison, a cell with pure TiO2 as a photoanode was also prepared. Devices fabricated using composite photoanodes with 1%, 3%, 5%, and 7% of CeO2 showed power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 7.0%, 5.68%, 5.64%, and 3.97%, respectively. Whereas, the cell with pure TiO2 as photoanode showed an efficiency of 3.35%. This enhanced PCE was attributed to the presence of CeO2 within the photoanode, which helps to reduce the charge recombination loss and improve photo-absorption. Eventually improved the open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current. Pure and composite photoanode samples were characterized for their optical and morphological properties. Homogeneous distribution of CeO2 NPs within the composites were confirmed by TEM analysis.