▎ 摘　　要

Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs) have combined the benefits of both organic and inorganic compounds. Ceramic DSSC photo-anode especially Nb2O5 is attracting attention due to higher conduction band edge and open circuit voltage (V-OC). To improve the charge collection efficiency and reduction in recombination rate, the inclusion of a strong electrically conductive carbon material such as graphene is suggested. The performance of material and DSSC device were characterized using diversified techniques such as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), diffuse reflectance UV-Vis spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and potentiostat. Studies revealed the formation of impurity-free crystalline orthorhombic phase nanocomposite. The incorporation of graphene has not only improved the absorption but also decreased the band gap causing an increase in the electrical conductivity and decrease in charge recombination rate. Spherical shape morphology of nanocomposite is confirmed through SEM results. Furthermore, IV measurements of the cells fabricated using Graphene-Nb2O5 nanocomposite photo-anode, N3 dye, I-/I-3(-) electrolyte and gold coated FTO glass as counter electrode exhibited the 68% increase in fill factor and 52% increase in efficiency when compared to cells made with similar components but using Nb2O5 nanoparticles as a photoanode. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.