Exploring the ımpact of metal doping and alternative electrodes on the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract This study explores the synthesis and characterization of metal-doped TiO 2 thin films for applications in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) films were doped with various metal ions such as Ag + , Zn 2+ , Fe 3+ , and Co 2+ , to enhance the photoelectrochemical properties of the photoanode. The films were characterized using various techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV–Vis spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The doping process was found to influence the morphology, surface area, and optical properties of the TiO 2 films, resulting in enhanced light absorption, particularly in the visible range. The effects of metal doping on the performance of the DSSCs were evaluated, showing that Co 2+ and Ag + doping resulted in improved efficiency compared to undoped TiO 2 , with the Co 2+ -doped TiO 2 achieving the highest power conversion efficiency of 2.85%. Additionally, the incorporation of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) as a counter electrode demonstrated a significant enhancement in DSSC performance, even surpassing traditional platinum-based counter electrodes. The results suggest that metal doping and rGO incorporation offer promising strategies for improving DSSC efficiency. This study highlights the potential of metal-doped TiO 2 photoanodes and rGO counter electrodes in advancing the development of cost-effective, high-performance DSSCs for sustainable solar energy applications.