Senadeera, G.K.R.Weerasekara, W.M.S.K.Jaseetharan, T.Sandunika, P.U.Kumari, J.M.K.W.Dissanayake, M.A.K.L.Muhiuddin, M.Rahman, M.R.Bhat K, U.Akhtar, M.W.Udayakumar, U.Siddique, A.B.Ekanayake, P.2026-02-032025Physica B: Condensed Matter, 2025, 699, , pp. -9214526https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physb.2024.416797https://idr.nitk.ac.in/handle/123456789/20420This study explored the effects of Neodymium-doped graphene quantum dots (NdGQDs) on improving the performance efficiency of TiO<inf>2</inf> based dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). By employing in-situ physical assisted mixing, DSSCs with optimized NdGQDs in TiO<inf>2</inf> photoanodes showed a power conversion efficiency of 8.76 %, a significant improvement compared to the 6.01 % efficiency of pristine TiO<inf>2</inf>-based DSSCs under 100 mW cm?2 illumination (AM 1.5). Notably, the short-circuit current density increased by 74 %. HRTEM analysis revealed that the NdGQDs have a size range of approximately 7–9 nm. UV–visible spectroscopy and Mott-Schottky analysis revealed a positive shift in the Fermi level, promoting better electron transfer and increased photocurrent density at the expenses of the open circuit voltage. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy characterization of DSSCs incorporating NdGQD-modified photoanodes revealed a reduction in electron transfer resistance at the photoanode|dye|electrolyte interface, accompanied by an increase in recombination resistance within the device suppressing the electron recombination rate. © 2024 Elsevier B.V.Dye-sensitized solar cellsElectrochemical impedance spectroscopyElectrolytesGraphene quantum dotsNeodymium compoundsSemiconductor quantum dotsTitanium dioxideDye- sensitized solar cellsEfficiency enhancementElectron transferGraphenesNeodymium dopedNeodymium-doped graphene quantum dot/TiO2Performance efficiencyPhoto-anodesTiO 2Nanocrystals