Titania photoanode anchored by plasmonic Pd nanoparticles for efficiency enhancement of dye-sensitized solar cell

Abstract In this research, 0.5 wt% Pd plasmonic nanoparticles (5–8 nm) have been incorporated into TiO 2 photoanode via a fast and low-cost microwave hydrothermal method at 210 °C, 300 psi, and 200 W. The physico-chemical characteristics of the photoanode have been examined by different techniques. Their analyses confirm the successful incorporation of Pd metal nanoparticles onto anatase TiO 2 thin film electrode and show spherical shape nanoparticles of Pd metal and TiO 2 . UV–Vis absorption spectrum reveals the visible light absorption capability of the photoactive electrode due to the localized surface plasmonic resonance (LSPR) behavior of Pd metal plasmonic nanoparticles. The XPS analysis confirms the metallic form of Pd metal plasmonic nanoparticles incorporated in TiO 2 matrix. Plasmonic DSSC efficiency of 5.6% has been achieved with enhancement by 23%. The efficiency enhancement demonstrated by Pd plasmonic nanoparticles can be attributed to the tuned light absorptivity of the solar cell into visible region by the LSPR of Pd plasmonic nanoparticles.