Cubic CeO2 nanoparticles as mirror-like scattering layers for efficient light harvesting in dye-sensitized solar cells.

A new type of bilayered photoanodes with cubic CeO(2) nanoparticles as mirror-like scattering thin layers was prepared via a screen-printing technique for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The light harvesting efficiency was significantly enhanced due to the mirror-like light scattering effect, resulting in noticeable ∼17.8% improvement of light-to-electric conversion efficiency.

Photocatalytic water oxidation on F, N co-doped TiO2 with dominant exposed {001} facets under visible light.

Visible-light-responsive anatase TiO(2) platelets with dominant {001} facets were prepared via a facile nitridation reaction from a TiOF(2) precursor. The in situ co-doping of N and F in the anatase TiO(2) nanoparticles leads to drastically enhanced absorption and excellent water oxidation performance in the visible light region.