Functionalized multi-wall carbon nanotubes/TiO2 composites as efficient photoanodes for dye sensitized solar cells

Benetti, Daniele (author): INRS Centre for Energy, Materials and Telecommunications

Dembele, Kadiatou Therese (author): INRS Centre for Energy, Materials and Telecommunications

Benavides, Jaime (author): Département de Génie Électrique, École de Technologie Supérieure, Montréal

Zhao, Haiguang (author): INRS Centre for Energy, Materials and Telecommunications, CNR-INO SENSOR Lab

Cloutier, Sylvain (author): Département de Génie Électrique, École de Technologie Supérieure, Montréal

Rosei, Federico (author): INRS Centre for Energy, Materials and Telecommunications, Institute for Fundamental and Frontier Science University of Electronic 15 Science and Technology of China, Center for Self-Assembled Chemical Structures, McGill University

(creator_code:org_t)

2016
2016
English.
In: Journal of Materials Chemistry C. - 2050-7526 .- 2050-7534. ; 4:16, s. 3555-3562

Related links:: https://doi.org/10.1...; show more...; https://urn.kb.se/re...; https://doi.org/10.1...; show less...

Abstract Subject headings

We report on the effects of incorporation of different concentrations of carboxyl group (COOH)-functionalized multi-wall carbon nanotubes (F-MWCNTs) into TiO2 active layers for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Standard DSSCs with bare TiO2 exhibit a photo-conversion efficiency (PCE) of 6.05% and a short circuit current density (Jsc) of 13.3 mA cm−2. The presence of 2 wt% F-MWCNTs in the photoanodes increases the PCE up to 7.95% and Jsc up to 17.5 mA cm−2. The photoanodes were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The electrochemical behaviour of the solar cells was investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). We attribute the improved performances to the combined effect of increased dye loading and reduced charge recombination (as clarified by dye loading and EIS measurements), due to the conformal coverage of F-MWCNTs, which allows fast and efficient charge collection in operating solar cells. These results can help in improving the PCE in DSSCs in an elegant and straightforward way, minimizing the need of additional steps (e.g. pre- and post-treatment with TiCl4) for photoanode preparation.

By the author/editor: Benetti, Daniele; Dembele, Kadiato ...; Benavides, Jaime; Zhao, Haiguang; Cloutier, Sylvai ...; Concina, Isabell ...; show more...; Vomiero, Alberto; Rosei, Federico; show less...

About the subject

NATURAL SCIENCES: NATURAL SCIENCES; and Physical Science ...; and Other Physics To ...

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