Synthesis of titanium dioxide/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite material via the incorporated hydrothermal co-precipitation method for fabricating photoanode in dye-sensitized solar cell

This study first investigates the preparation and characterization of titanium dioxide/reduced graphene oxide (TiO2/rGO) and then proposes the fabrication of photoanode in dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) from synthesized materials. Herein, the TiO2/rGO nanocomposites were prepared by the incorporation of hydrothermal approach and co-precipitation method from the precursors of titanium (IV) isopropoxide and graphene oxide. The fabrication of photoanode from the as-prepared TiO2/rGO nanocomposite paste was carried out using screen-printing technique. The performance of fabricated DSSCs was evaluated by current density-voltage curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The characterizations of TiO2 nanoparticles, TiO2/rGO nanocomposites, and their precursors were confirmed by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. Experimental data showed that the optimal rGO weight percentage of 0.6% in the TiO2/rGO nanocomposite material fabricated DSSC successfully with the highest values of short-circuit current density (17.65 mA/cm2) and energy conversion efficiency (7.46%), approximately increasing 24% and 25%, respectively, in comparison with the pristine TiO2 material. Characterization results indicated that the incorporated hydrothermal co-precipitation method was efficient in producing well-defined spherical TiO2 nanoparticles decorated on the rGO sheets with an average diameter of 20-25 nm. Therefore, the TiO2/rGO nanocomposites with the eco-friendly and efficient synthesis method are highly promising for manufacturing and commercializing DSSCs widely.