A Comparison of Anodic TiO2 Nanotube Membranes used for Front-side Illuminated Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

In the present work we compare TiO2 nanotube lift-off strategies for the construction of front-side illuminated dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Anodic nanotube layers were detached from the metallic back contact by using different techniques and transferred onto an FTO substrate. We show that if we use an optimized potential step treatment to fabricate membranes, DSSC cell efficiencies can be significantly increased (>8%). This improved efficiency is ascribed to higher specific dye-loading and enhanced electron transport properties of optimally fabricated TiO2 nanotube membranes.