Preparation And Investigation Of Nano-TiO₂ Thin Film Photo-electrochemical Cell

Photo-electrochemical cells can be used for the conversion of solar energy into electrical and chemical energy (such as hydrogen energy). It shows developing potential, as it can solve the problems of energy sources and environment pollution effectively. This paper researched solar cells which can convert solar energy into electricity and photo-electrolysis cell that into chemical energy. Nano-TiO₂ thin film was used as photo-anode in such two cells. Solar cells with high photo-voltage and current have been obtained by optimization. And using the obtained voltage as bias, the single-compartment photo-electrolysis cell can photolyze water into hydrogen. Furthermore a new ion-septum two-compartment photo-electrolysis cell has been designed, which can produce hydrogen without bias.Now Gratzel cells have been researched actively among the solar cells. This paper prepared the nano- TiO₂ thin film photo-electrode by the method of sol-gel plus powder. This avoids shortage of high cost and long time preparing by the method of sol-gel and large grain and bad dispersing preparing by the method of powder. XRD shows the content of rutile component in electrode and TiO₂ grains have increased. Yet the influence is small. SEM shows the thin film surface is equality and unknit. Particle reunite is rare. The connection between nano-particles is preferable. And there are more holes among round particles.The Pt counter-electrode was prepared by the method of heat-decompose, decomposing the Pt on the base of ITO glass. And use natural pigment"roselle"as...