Nano, Volume 0, Issue 0, Ahead of Print.
We demonstrate a strategy for incorporating plasmon resonant metallic nanoparticles in the construction of the three-dimensional (3D) interwoven structured TiO2 photoanodes. The 3D interwoven structure contained continuous TiO2 skeleton and numerous interconnected macro/mesopores, which supplied effective straight path for electron transfer and high specific surface area for dye load. Localized surface plasmon resonance (SPR) was produced by the addition of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), which increased the light absorption of the photoanodes more effectively. The synergistic effect of SPR with constructed TiO2 nanostructures has been investigated, and was confirmed by field-emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-Vis absorption spectra, J–V characteristics, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis. It was found that the range and strength of light absorption of TiO2 photoanodes, the photon capture ability of the dye molecules, the photoelectric conversion efficiency were significantly increased while the electron transfer resistance decreased due to the incorporation of AuNPs compared to the P25 and Au-free photoanode. The related photoelectric performance enhancement mechanisms, and surface-plasmon resonances in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) with Au nanostructures were analyzed and discussed.
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