Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are low-cost solar cells belonging to the thin-film photovoltaic cell type. In this study, we studied the photovoltaic performances of DSSCs based on titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanofibers (NFs) containing silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs) under low illumination. We used the sol-gel method with the electrospinning technique to prepare the TiO₂ NFs containing Ag NPs. Herein, we used two ways to add TiO₂/Ag NFs to modify the photoelectrode successfully and enhance the performance of DSSCs. One way was that the TiO₂/Ag NFs were mixed with pristine TiO₂; the other way was that the TiO₂/Ag NFs were seeded beside the TiO₂ colloid layer as an additional layer on the photoelectrode of the DSSC. According to this experiment, the photovoltaic conversion efficiency of the DSSC which had TiO₂/Ag NF seeded as an additional layer on the photoelectrode (5.13%) was increased by 28% compared to the DSSC without the photoelectrode modification (3.99%). This was due to the suppression of electron recombination and the more effective utilization of the light radiation by adding the TiO₂/Ag NFs. Because of the good conductivity of Ag, the electrons were quickly transported and electron recombination was reduced. In addition, the photovoltaic conversion efficiency of the DSSC which had TiO₂/Ag NF seeded as an additional layer on the photoelectrode increased from 5.13% to 6.23% during the decrease in illumination from 100 mW/cm² to 30 mW/cm²; however, its photovoltaic conversion efficiency decreased to 5.31% when the illumination was lowered to 10 mW/cm².

In this study, both zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods and aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) nanosheets were deposited by hydrothermal growth on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass. After a photoanode was added to ZnO nanorods or AZO nanosheets, the photovoltaic conversion efficiency (PCE) increased due to improved electron transport and enhanced dye absorption. The improvement in electron transport was verified by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and the increase in dye absorption was verified by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. Both of these factors facilitated an increase in PCE. Parameters for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) using ZnO nanorods/TiO₂ and AZO nanosheets/TiO₂ photoanodes were tested and the results were recorded using EIS. The results indicated that the addition of the ZnO nanorods increased the short-circuit current density (J_sc) from 9.07 mA/cm² to 10.91 mA/cm², the open circuit voltage (V_oc) from 0.68 V to 0.70 V, and the PCE from 3.70% to 4.73%, respectively. When the DSSCs were produced in a parallel silver-grid device, the results showed that PCE could be increased from 3.67% to 4.04% due to the reduction in connection resistance.

Current research shows dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) photovoltaic conversion efficiency (PCE) can be increased when dye absorption on double layers of titanium dioxide (TiO2) are modified using magnetic beads (MBs) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The effects of incorporating both MBs and rGO into a TiO2 DSSC photoanode are investigated here in detail using a solar simulator, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, UV—visible spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. This study compared to an unmodified TiO2 PCE 4.06 % and a modified photoanode PCE (η) 5.45 %. Nyquist plots showed that incorporation of MBs and rGO decreased electron transfer impedance and increased the charge transfer rate. Increased dye-loading could be detected through UV—visible absorption enhancement of 26% for the addition of rGO. Incorporation of MBs and rGO can produce higher photovoltaic conversion efficiency.