Photovoltaic activity of Ti/MCM‐41 |
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Authors: | Pedro Atienzar Dr Maite Navarro Dr Avelino Corma Prof Dr Hermenegildo Garcia Prof Dr |
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Institution: | Instituto de Tecnologia Quimica, Universidad Politecnica de Valencia, Av. De los Naranjos s/n, 46022, Valencia (Spain), Fax: (+34)?963?877809 |
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Abstract: | Ti/MCM‐41 is a well‐known heterogeneous catalyst for alkene epoxidation with organic peroxides. This titanosilicate contains isolated titanium atoms forming part of a framework of mesoporous silica whose structure is formed by parallel hexagonal channels 3.2 nm in diameter. The surface area and porosity of Ti/MCM‐41 are about 880 m2 g?1 and 0.70 cm3 g?1, respectively. These values are among the highest for any material. Herein, we show that Ti/MCM‐41 exhibits photovoltaic activity. Dye‐sensitized solar cells using mesoporous Ti/MCM‐41 (2.8–5.7 % Ti content) as active layer, black dye N3 as photosensitizer and I3?/I? in methoxyacetonitrile as electrolyte exhibit a VOC, JSC and FF of 0.44 V, 0.045 mA cm?2 and 0.33, respectively. These values compare well against 0.75 V, 4.1 mA cm?2 and 0.64, respectively, measured for analogous solar cells using conventional P‐25 TiO2. However, the specific current density (JSC/Ti atom) for the Ti/MCM‐41 is very similar to that of P25 TiO2. |
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Keywords: | dye‐sensitized solar cells materials science mesoporous materials photovoltaic effect titanium |
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