1. Introduction The titanium oxide is a typical n-type semiconductor. It has three crystalline forms found in nature: brookite, anatase

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, M. szinDLer*, k. LukAszkowicz*, A. DrygAłA*, M. ProkoPiuk 
veL ProkoPowicz*
NaNocrystallINe tio
2
 powder prepared by sol-gel method for dye-seNsItIzed solar cells
in this study titanium dioxide nanopowder has been manufactured and examined. nanocrystalline Tio
2
powder has 
been obtained by hydrolysis and peptization of a solution of titanium isopropoxide and isopropanol. Subsequently, produced 
powder has been subjected to structural analysis by using a transmission electron microscope, X-ray diffractometer, and 
Raman spectrometer. For comparison purposes, a commercially available titanium dioxide powder (i.e. titanium white) was 
also used. Thin layers have been made from this powder and further have been examined by using a UV/VIS spectrometer. 
Completed research shows the nanocrystalline structure of obtained layers and their good properties such as absorbance at the 
range of wavelength equal 200 – 1000 nm.
Keywords
: sol-gel; nanopowder; titanium dioxide; dye-sensitized solar cell
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siLesiAn universiTy of TechnoLogy, insTiTuTe of engineering MATeriALs AnD bioMATeriALs, 18A konArskiego sTr., 44-100 gLiwice, PoLAnD,
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Corresponding author: [e-mail]

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the redox potential of organic substances in aqueous solution. 
Therefore, it is possible to use dyes that absorb light in the 
visible range. The surface development and the size of the 
pores present in the layer are two parameters that must be 
selected so that the guaranteed performance is maximized 
light absorption and freely filling the pores by the electrolyte 
[4]. The purpose of titanium oxide in the dye-sensitized solar 
cell is a transfer electron to the external circuit. The way of 
transition of an electron in the DSSC is shown in Fig. 2.
Fig. 2. The transition of an electron in the dye-sensitized solar cell
The large surface development of the TiO
2
allows absorb 
a greater amount of dye and increased absorption of light, i.e. 
improved efficiency. To increase the surface absorption of 
photons, this layer is porous and nanocrystalline. Titanium 
dioxide is a poor conductor of electricity but combined with 
organic dye molecules increases its conductivity.