Enhanced performance of a dye-sensitized solar cell with the incorporation of titanium carbide in the TiO2 matrix

The effects of incorporation of various weight percentages of titanium carbide (TiC) into TiO2 matrices on the photovoltaics of the respective dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were investigated. It is established through relevant photographs, XRD and EDX analysis that TiC was partially converted into anatase TiO2 (a-TiO2) when the TiC was sintered at 450 °C. With the incorporation of 3.0 wt% of the TiC in the TiO2 film, the solar-to-electricity conversion efficiency (η) of the cell reached 7.56% from its value of 6.61% with a bare TiO2 film. “In situ” incorporation of this TiC/a-TiO2 composite in the commercial TiO2 is considered as the basis for enhanced cell efficiency of the benefited cell. The variations in JSC, FF, and VOC are explained by analyzing the data of dark currents, UV-absorption spectra, transparency spectra, and electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS) which were obtained under illumination and darkness. Enhancement in the VOC for the promoted cell is explained through pertinent electron lifetime in the TiO2 film, which was obtained by using laser-induced photo-voltage transient studies. Electron diffusion coefficient was also measured by using laser-induced photo-current transient studies.