UV Treatment Effect on TiO2 Electrodes in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells with N719 Sensitizer Investigated by Infrared Absorption Spectroscopy

cis-di(thiocyanato)bis(2,2'-bipyridyl-4,4"-dicarboxylate)rutheniumu(II) (N719) adsorption on anatase TiO 2 electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells has been investigated using infrared absorption spectroscopy with a multiple internal reflection technique. We have found that the N719 dye dissociatively adsorbs on OH sites to the TiO 2 surfaces with its carboxy group. The intentional generation of the OH sites on the TiO 2 electrodes with a photocatalytic reaction by UV irradiation in air prior to the N719 dye adsorption is effective in increasing the short-circuit current of the dye-sensitized solar cells.