SPR effect of AgNPs decorated TiO2 in DSSC using TPMPI in the electrolyte: Approach towards low light trapping

Abstract Nano-porous titania matrices were doped with AgNPs by UV assisted reduction of AgNO 3 solution to fabricate the photo-anode in dye sensitized solar cell using N3 as the absorber dye. The composite matrices were subjected to physicochemical characterization using XRD, TEM, XPS, EDAX, FESEM, spectral and micro Raman techniques. Electrochemical characterizations of the Ag-TiO 2 matrices were carried out to evaluate the photoresponse, current-voltage output, interfacial charge transfer and stability of the DSSC under illumination of 10–100 mW/cm 2 using white LED light source. The dye-electrode embedded with an optimal level of Ag, produced solar conversion efficiency of 11.17% and IPCE 73%. Attempt was taken to make the plasmon based DSSC more low light sensitive by using triphenylmethylphosphonim iodide (TPMPI) as the electrolyte component.