Synergistic effect between anatase and rutile TiO2 nanoparticles in dye-sensitized solar cells.

A synergistic effect between anatase and rutile TiO2 is known, in which the addition of rutile can remarkably enhance the photocatalytic activity of anatase in the degradation of organic contaminants. In this study, mixed-phase TiO2 nanocomposites consisting of anatase and rutile nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared for use as photoanodes in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) and were characterized by using UV-vis spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The addition of 10-15% rutile significantly improved light harvesting and the overall solar conversion efficiency of anatase NPs in DSSCs.