Enhancing DSSC performance via controlled Ag ion beam implantation on TiO ₂ photoanodes

Abstract Dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) present a promising route toward low-cost and efficient solar energy conversion. However, the performance of traditional TiO 2 based photoanodes is often limited by slow electrontransport and high recombination rates. in this study, TiO 2 nano particles were synthesised via a solvothermal method and modified through Ag ion beam implantation at varying ion fluences to enhance their photovoltaic properties. X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed the existence of anatase phase, with reduced crystallite size and increased defect density upon Ag implantation. UV–Vis spectroscopy demonstrated enhanced absorption in the visible region, attributed to localized surface plasmon resonance effects and defect-induced sub-bandgap states. Field Emission scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) showed morphological changes including surface roughening and nanoparticle agglomeration with increasing ion fluence. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and J-V measurements revealed that low-dose Ag implantation (1 × 10 14 and 5 × 10 14 ions/cm 2 ) reduced charge transfer resistance and improved power conversion efficiency from 5.69 % (pristine) to a maximum of 6.15 %. However, higher implantation doses led to efficiency deterioration due to excessive defect formation. These findings demonstrate the controlled Ag ion implantation is an effective strategy to enhance the efficiency of DSSCs through improved light absorption and charge transport properties.