The use of binary TiO2–GeO2 oxide electrodes to enhanced efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells

The preparation of titania (TiO2), germania (GeO2) and binary TiO2–GeO2 oxide with different Ti/Ge ratio gels based on sol–gel method with surfactant-assisted mechanism and their application for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) were reported. The samples were calcined and characterized by nitrogen adsorption porosimetry, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and morphology was investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The XRD results suggested that germanium substituted for titanium in the TiO2 lattice because of the gradual shift of 1 0 1 diffraction peak of anatase type of TiO2. The higher surface area from binary oxides samples was due to the added oxide acting as a crystal growth inhibiter. For the application for DSCs, the electrodes fabricated from binary oxides sample gave significant higher Jsc when compared to cell that fabricated by sample TiO2 electrode. The consequence effects of added germanium were analyzed and discussed.