Study of light scattering from randomly oriented submicron TiO₂ structures for photovoltaic and photoelectrochemical catalysis applications

The paper reports on the scattering properties of different submicron mesoporous TiO₂ structures and their correlation with the efficiency of photovoltaic devices. Bruggeman's effective medium theory was used to calculate the effective refractive index. T-matrix and Mie theory were used to evaluate scattering parameters, such as scattering coefficient and asymmetry factor. The parameters presented here can be used either to understand the suitability of these TiO₂ structures for photovoltaic and photocatalysis applications or as inputs for full optoelectronics simulation of devices. Scattering coefficients of the structures were found to mainly depend on their volume and porosity rather than shape. The dimensions and refractive index of scattering structures commonly used for photovoltaic and photocatalytic application are generally within a range of dimensions and refractive indices quite similar to that discussed in this paper, and hence, results discussed will also be indicative for other scattering structures for the same application. The effects of shape, size, and porosity on scattering parameters have also been discussed.