Fabrication of Enhanced Electron Transport Layer by Laser Scanning Technology for Dye-sensitized Solar Cells

Graphical abstract: Micro-patterned TiO₂ nanorod arrays/mesoporous TiO₂ nanoparticles photo-anodes have been fabricated by laser scanning technology and investigated to improve the energy conversion efficiency of DSSCs. - Highlights: • Patterning the TiO₂ nanorod arrays by laser scanning technology. • Fabrication of patterned TiO₂ nanorod arrays/TiO₂ nanoparticles composite photo-anodes. • Enhancing electron transport and collection by the TiO₂ nanorod arrays. • Improving light absorption by the composite structured double layer photo-anodes. - Abstract: In this work, an additional enhanced electron transport layer consisted of patterned TiO₂ nanorod arrays is fabricated by laser scanning technology. DSSCs based on patterned TiO₂ nanorod arrays/TiO₂ nanoparticles composite photo-anodes exhibit improved photovoltaic performance, which can be ascribed to the fast charge transport, reduced electron/hole pairs recombination and enhanced light absorption. The UV-Vis measurements reveal much better light absorption for the cell based on patterned TiO₂ nanorod arrays. Furthermore, the photovoltaic and electrochemical impedance measurements demonstrate the fast electron transport and lower charge recombination for the cell based on patterned TiO₂ nanorod arrays. The direct fabrication of patterned TiO₂ nanorod micro/nano composite structures by laser scanning technology is anticipated to be also an alternative method to improve the performance of the other optoelectronic devices