Combined embedding of N-doping and CaCO3 surface modification in the TiO2 photoelectrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells

A successive embedding of N-doping and CaCO3 surface modification was carried out in the TiO2 photoelectrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The combined effect was revealed with the great increase of the open-circuit voltage (Voc), short-circuit current (Jsc), and photoelectric conversion efficiency (η) of the prepared cells; the efficiency (η) was improved from 5.42% of a commercial TiO2 photoelectrode to 7.47% of an unmodified N-doped electrode, and to 9.03% of a N-doped and CaCO3 surface modified electrode. An enhanced photoresponse in N-doped TiO2 nanoparticles generate more photo-excited electrons in adsorbed dye, as supported by measured UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra and incident photon to current conversion efficiency (IPCE). A successive CaCO3 surface modification then form a barrier on the surface of N-doped TiO2 particles, suppressing charge recombination of photo-generated electrons from N-doped TiO2 to dye or electrolyte, and thus extending their life time in the electrode, as supported by electron impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Furthermore, the higher basicity of the CaCO3 modified TiO2 facilitates the dye adsorption, as supported by the direct measurement of the amount of adsorbed dye.