TiO2@NiAl-Layered double oxide nanocomposite: An excellent photoanode for a dye sensitized solar cell

Abstract This work introduces a new nanocomposite based on metal mixed oxides as working electrode for increasing utilization of dye-sensitized solar cells. The TiO 2 @NiAl-Layered double hydroxide with the molar ratio of TiO 2 : Ni: Al = 6: 0.45: 0.15 is prepared by the facile co-precipitation method. The TiO 2 @NiAl-Layered double oxide is prepared by calcining the TiO 2 @NiAl-Layered double hydroxide at 500 °C. The Characters of the obtained materials are investigated using a Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy, an X-ray diffraction pattern, a scanning electron microscope, and UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectra techniques. The obtained substance is used as a working electrode that shows improved efficiency in comparison with TiO 2 at dye-sensitized solar cells. The conversion efficiency of 5.68% is well above those reported previously for dye-sensitized solar cells made by layered double oxide as the working electrode. This improvement is attributed to the suitable band gap, increases in absorption of visible light rang, and an increase in the current density using optimized TiO 2 @NiAl- Layered double oxide. It is found that smooth surface and very little cracked sites at the TiO 2 @NiAl- Layered double oxide anodes caused an improvement in the open-circuit voltage and consequently, betterment of the convert capability of the dye-sensitized solar cell.