We describe a fast and effective procedure for the preparation of high efficiency hybrid photoanodes for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs), based on nanocrystalline TiO2 with limited addition of multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The mixing process between CNTs and TiO2 nanoparticles is almost instantaneous, which makes it feasible for large-scale fabrication. Enhanced electron lifetime and reduced charge recombination lead to highly increased short circuit current density and overall photoconversion efficiency (from 13.6 mA cm-2 to 16.0 mA cm-2 and from 7.0% to 9.0%, respectively, considering the bare TiO2 and the optimum CNTs concentration, which is 0.010 wt %), while the small reduction in open circuit photovoltage does not significantly affect cell performances. This result is remarkable since a standard dye molecule (N719) was used and no chemical treatments of the photoanodes prior to cell fabrication were applied (i.e., soaking in TiCl4 to boost open circuit photovoltage). © 2013 American Chemical Society.

Hybrid carbon nanotubes-TiO2 photoanodes for high efficiency dye-sensitized solar cells

Sberveglieri;Vomiero;
2013

Abstract

We describe a fast and effective procedure for the preparation of high efficiency hybrid photoanodes for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs), based on nanocrystalline TiO2 with limited addition of multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The mixing process between CNTs and TiO2 nanoparticles is almost instantaneous, which makes it feasible for large-scale fabrication. Enhanced electron lifetime and reduced charge recombination lead to highly increased short circuit current density and overall photoconversion efficiency (from 13.6 mA cm-2 to 16.0 mA cm-2 and from 7.0% to 9.0%, respectively, considering the bare TiO2 and the optimum CNTs concentration, which is 0.010 wt %), while the small reduction in open circuit photovoltage does not significantly affect cell performances. This result is remarkable since a standard dye molecule (N719) was used and no chemical treatments of the photoanodes prior to cell fabrication were applied (i.e., soaking in TiCl4 to boost open circuit photovoltage). © 2013 American Chemical Society.
2013
Charge recombinations
Chemical treatments
Dye-Sensitized solar cell
Electron lifetime
Large-scale fabrication
Nano-crystalline TiO
Open-circuit photovoltage
Photoconversion efficiency
Carbon nanotubes
Efficiency
Photoelectrochemical cells
Titanium dioxide
Solar cells
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14243/20192
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