Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 February 2011
During the past five years, we have developed in our laboratory a new type of solar cell based on a photo-electrochemical process. A respectable photovoltaic efficiency (i.e. 10%) is obtained by the use of mesoporous, nanostructured films of anatase particles. We will show how the TiO2 electrode microstructure influences the photovoltaic response of the cell. More specifically, we will focus on how processing parameters such as hydrothermal growth temperature, binder addition and sintering conditions influence the film porosity, pore size distribution, and consequently affect the solar cell efficiency.