The Effect of Dopant and Dye Type on the Performance of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells with Structurally Modified TiO2 Photoanodes

Abstract: In this study, the anode and cathode structures were morphologically and functionally engineered to investigate their effect on the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). During photoanode fabrication, (fluorine doped tin oxide) FTO surfaces coated with Ti via the magnetron sputtering method were converted into nanopores or nanoparticle-based TiO2 structures through anodization and sol-gel techniques. Additionally, Fe2+ and Zn2+ ions were introduced as dopants to examine their effects of these metals on performance. The Fe2+ doped structures exhibited a dendritic morphology, which enhanced light scattering and electron transport. When comparing N719 and hibiscus dyes, N719 exhibited higher efficiency and longer carrier lifetime. J-V analyses revealed that the Fe2+ doped anodes produced 23% higher current density. The highest VOC, 0.33 V, was observed in the Zn anodized–N-pure anodized cell, while the highest Jsc, 1.48 mA/cm2, was achieved in the Fe TiO2–N-Pure anodized cell. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) analyses indicated that the Fe2+doped cells operated with lower internal resistance. As a result, dendritic titanium dioxide (TiO2) structures doped with Fe2+ and the N719 dye significantly improved DSSC performance, demonstrating that parameters such as dopant type, morphology, and dye selection play a critical role in device efficiency.