Single-Step Preparation of TiO₂/MWCNT Nanohybrid Materials by Laser Pyrolysis and Application to Efficient Photovoltaic Energy Conversion

Abstract

This paper presents the continuous-flowand single-step synthesis of a TiO2/MWCNT (multiwall carbon nanotubes) nanohybrid material. The synthesis method allows achieving high coverage and intimate interface between the TiO2particles and MWCNTs, together with a highly homogeneous distribution of nanotubes within the oxide. Such materials used as active layer in theporous photoelectrode of solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells leads to a substantial performance improvement (20%) as compared to reference devices.

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

“…From our analyses, the coverage of F-MWCNTs by TiO 2 NPs is similar to what has been reported in the literature for analogous systems: 27,34 the TiO 2 NPs conformally cover the CNTs (and graphene sheets in the case of graphene addition), making them almost invisible by SEM observation. High resolution TEM applied to similar systems was unable to identify any difference in the grafting of TiO 2 NPs to the CNT/graphene structure.…”

Multiwalled carbon nanotube-supported CuCo2S4 as a heterogeneous Fenton-like catalyst with enhanced performance

“…47 It is notable that a larger ratio of Co 2+ / Co 3+ in CuCo 2 S 4 /MWCNTs than in pure CuCo 2 S 4 is conducive to the initiation of the catalytic reaction, and meanwhile, it helps to economize H 2 O 2 for fewer Co 3+ are needed to be reduced at the beginning.…”

Influence of Nitrogen Doping on Device Operation for TiO2-Based Solid-State Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells: Photo-Physics from Materials to Devices

“…Laser pyrolysis was used to synthesize a set of N-doped TiO 2 nanopowders [ 36 ]. This technique is an efficient method for the production of well-controlled nanocrystals with tunable properties, well-adapted for the photovoltaic application [ 37 , 38 ]. Here, the precursor mixture included ammonia as the source of N atoms.…”

“…This drop in photocurrent generation efficiency is related to the existence of surface-related electronic features, as revealed by photoluminescence spectroscopy on the nanopowders ( Figure S8, Supplementary materials ). A typical emission at 2.03 eV, associated with radiative recombination of self-trapped excitons at the particle surface, is observed for all powders [ 38 ]. This emission is found more pronounced in the presence of N atoms (especially when they are located at the particle surface), and results in a rapid recombination of photo-generated excitons following excitation in this spectral range.…”