Synthesis of Multiwalled TiO2 Nanotubes Under Weak Alkaline Conditions for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Mesoporous Tubular TiO2 nanostructures were synthesised under hydrothermal condition in weak alkaline medium using high surface area mesoporous anatase TiO2 nanoparticles as seeds. These anatase TiO2 nanoparticles react with weak NaOH under hydrothermal conditions to form sheet like structures. By treating these sheets with dilute HCl multilayered nanotubes were obtained. X-ray diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy, N2 sorption analysis were used for the physical characterization of the material. These nanotubes were applied as anode material for Dye-sensitized solar cell and an increase of 7.86% in current density is observed as compared to the commercial paste (Solaronix Ti-Nanoxide T/SC).