Photovoltaic Behavior of Dye-sensitized Long TiO₂ Nanotube Arrays

Long $TiO_2$ nanotube (NT) arrays, prepared by electrochemical anodization of Ti foils, have been utilized as dye-adsorbing electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). By anodizing for 1-24 hr and subsequent annealing, highly crystallized and tightly-adhered NT arrays were tailored to 11-150 ${\mu}m$ lengths, ~90 nm innerpore diameter and ~30 nm wall thickness. I-V curves revealed that the photovoltaic conversion efficiency (${\eta}$) was proportional to the NT length up to 36 ${\mu}m$. Beyond this length, the ) was proportional to the NT length up to ${\eta}$ was still steadily increased, though at a much lower rate. For example, an ${\eta}$ of 5.05% at 36 ${\mu}m$ was increased to 6.18% at 150 ${\mu}m$. Transient photoelectron spectroscopic analyses indicated that NT array-based DSCs revealed considerably higher electron diffusion coefficient ($D_e$) and life time (${\tau}_e$) than those with $TiO_2$ nanoparticles (NP). Moreover, the electron diffusion lengths ($L_e$) of the photo-injected electrons were considerably larger than the corresponding NT lengths in all the cases, suggesting that electron transport in NT arrays is highly efficient, regardless of tube length.