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

This study explores the synthesis and characterization of metal-doped TiO2 thin films for applications in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Titanium dioxide (TiO2) films were doped with various metal ions such as Ag+, Zn2+, Fe3+, and Co2+, 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 TiO2 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 Co2+ and Ag+ doping resulted in improved efficiency compared to undoped TiO2, with the Co2+-doped TiO2 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 TiO2 photoanodes and rGO counter electrodes in advancing the development of cost-effective, high-performance DSSCs for sustainable solar energy applications.