  In the present work we compare TiO2 nanotube lift-off strategies for the
construction of front-side illuminated dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs).
Anodic nanotube layers were detached from the metallic back contact by using
different techniques and transferred onto an FTO substrate. We show that if we
use an optimized potential step treatment to fabricate membranes, DSSC cell
efficiencies can be significantly increased (>8%). This improved efficiency is
ascribed to higher specific dye-loading and enhanced electron transport
properties of optimally fabricated TiO2 nanotube membranes.
