Performance of Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells Based on MWCNT/TiO_2–xN_x Nanocomposite Electrodes

Abstract

Multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) fibrils were introduced into TiO 2-x N x photoelectrodes to enhance charge collection efficiency as charge-transport pathways. For comparison, we also synthesized MWCNT/TiO 2 nanocomposites to fabricate dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). The effect of MWCNTs on the photovoltaic performance of the DSCs was studied in detail. The performance of DSCs based on MWCNT/TiO 2-x N x differs significantly from that of MWCNT/TiO 2 photoelectrodes. A high energy conversion efficiency of 7.66 % was achieved in the dye-sensitized MWCNT/TiO 2 nanocomposites solar cells. The results show that remarkable enhancement of ca. 33 % and ca. 40 % in

Carbohydrate‐Derived Carbon Sheaths on TiO2 Nanoparticle Photoanodes for Efficiency Enhancement in Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

“…Nanostructured carbons have an essential function as catalyst supports, dopants, and additives for enhancing the electrochemical performances in the field of energy and environmental science including dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), fuel cells, Li‐ion batteries, and photocatalysis based on low cost, excellent electronic conductivity, and high surface area . Graphenes, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and graphite‐like carbonaceous materials, which are derived from hydrocarbon gases and polymers, have been used in DSSCs to improve the photon flow, electron transfer, and collection at both the photoanode and cathode …”

“…However, the value of IPCE was decreased by introducing the photoanode G3 in DSSC, which contains much larger amount of carbons than samples G1 and G2. It shows that excess amount of carbon moieties distributed throughout TiO 2 photoanode can affect in a negative way on the DSSC performance because they may act as a competitor of dye molecules in light harvesting instead of acting as additives to play an effective role in electron transfer …”