Self-assembled nanoscale architecture of TiO2 and application for dye-sensitized solar cells.

A single-crystal-like titania nanowire network was successfully synthesized by a surfactant assisted "oriented attachment" mechanism. Highly crystallized titania nanorods have been synthesized by hydrothermal process using block-copolymer F127 with ethylenediamine. It was observed from high resolution TEM image that titanium atoms aligned perfectly in titania anatase structure with no defect. A high light-to-electricity conversion yield (9.3%) was attained by applying these titania nanoscale materials for making an electrode of dye-sensitized solar cells.