Single walled carbon nanotube network electrodes for dye solar cells

Tune, Daniel D.; Flavel, Benjamin S.; Quinton, Jamie S.; Ellis, Amanda; Shapter, Joseph G.

doi:10.1016/j.solmat.2010.05.026

Cited by 35 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…It seems that this reasonable elucidation by Chen et al can be related to or may explain the results of previous studies . In general, the properties of s‐SWCNTs can satisfy the aforementioned requirements of an ideal photoelectrode material.…”

Section: Semiconducting Layerssupporting

confidence: 64%

Carbon Nanotubes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Batmunkh

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Shapter

2015

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As one type of emerging photovoltaic cell, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are an attractive potential source of renewable energy due to their eco-friendliness, ease of fabrication, and cost effectiveness. However, in DSSCs, the rarity and high cost of some electrode materials (transparent conducting oxide and platinum) and the inefficient performance caused by slow electron transport, poor light-harvesting efficiency, and significant charge recombination are critical issues. Recent research has shown that carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are promising candidates to overcome these issues due to their unique electrical, optical, chemical, physical, as well as catalytic properties. This article provides a comprehensive review of the research that has focused on the application of CNTs and their hybrids in transparent conducting electrodes (TCEs), in semiconducting layers, and in counter electrodes of DSSCs. At the end of this review, some important research directions for the future use of CNTs in DSSCs are also provided.

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Section: Semiconducting Layerssupporting

confidence: 64%

Carbon Nanotubes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Batmunkh

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Shapter

2015

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131

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“…Integrating CNTs into DSSCs increases the conductivity of composite electrodes and reduces the resistance of hosting semiconducting materials . There are previous reports that incorporate CNTs into photoanodes; however, limited work is focused on integrating nanotubes into 1 D NF systems …”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A TiO₂ Nanofiber–Carbon Nanotube‐Composite Photoanode for Improved Efficiency in Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

et al. 2015

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A light-scattering layer fabricated from electrospun titanium dioxide nanofibers (TiO2 -NFs) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) formed a fiber-based photoanode. The nanocomposite scattering layer had a lawn-like structure and integration of carbon nanotubes into the NF photoanodes increased the power conversion efficiency from 2.9 % to 4.8 % under 1 Sun illumination. Under reduced light intensity (0.25 Sun), TiO2 -NF and TiO2 -NF/SWCNT-based DSSCs reached PCE values of up to 3.7 % and 6.6 %, respectively.

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“…However, the nanotubes themselves, which can be present as semiconductors, can be photoresponsive. [19][20][21][22][23] These electrical conduction properties, as well as semiconductor nature, indicates that a system constructed from carbon nanotubes would be an excellent substrate for a solar cell working electrode.…”

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confidence: 99%

Electrochemistry and Photocurrent Response from Vertically-Aligned Chemically-Functionalized Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Arrays

Bissett

Shapter

2011

J. Electrochem. Soc.

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The unique electronic properties of single walled carbon nanotubes ͑SWCNTs͒ can be used to generate a current response from visible light. Vertically aligned single walled carbon nanotube arrays were created on an optically transparent electrode ͑fluorine doped tin oxide coated glass, FTO͒ by a self-assembly process using the hydrophobicity of the nanotube side walls and chemical treatment of both the nanotubes and the FTO substrate. The electrode characteristics were explored using electrochemical approaches. The SWCNTs were further functionalized with light absorbing species such as dye or porphyrin. This led to arrays of SWCNTs chemically attached to the substrate that when exposed to visible light exhibited a prompt current response ͑ϳ5 A/cm 2 , ഛ200 ms͒ and a voltage of ϳ33 mV. This photoresponse behavior was investigated by modifying the attachment conditions and also the SWCNT treatment procedures.Every minute the amount of solar energy incident on the Earth is far greater than the energy provided by fossil fuels in an entire year. 1 However, photovoltaics make up only 0.04% of power generated. 1 This is a result of the high costs involved due to the manufacturing processes that are used and low energy conversion efficiencies. The use of a chemical based photovoltaic that mimics the process of photosynthesis in nature, such as the Grätzel cell 2 -instead of existing thin film semiconductor technology-offers the possibility of an efficient and most important cheaper source of electricity. The novel element in the Grätzel cell was the use of colloidal nanocrystals of titania ͑TiO 2 ͒ as the semiconductor substrate, which provided a much larger surface area and thus increased efficiency. Following the work of Grätzel there have been many attempts to further increase the efficiency of this design by changing almost every parameter. These modifications have included the integration of different dyes, 3 the linkage of one dye molecule to another, 4 the use of titania nanotubes instead of particles, 5 the integration of carbon nanotubes, 6,7 and also the changing of the electrolyte. 8,9 This device design, however, has the possibility to be further improved upon by incorporating carbon nanotubes as the working electrode.Carbon nanotubes ͑CNTs͒ have been widely studied for their electrical conduction properties. Due to their high degree of electron delocalization and high aspect ratio, electrons can exhibit ballistic conduction. 10 Carbon nanotubes that have been modified by photosensitive molecules have been studied with increasing frequency due to their application in optoelectronic devices. [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] In most cases it is the same Grätzel cell design but with CNTs mixed in with the TiO 2 to modify their electrical properties, such as decreased resistivity within the TiO 2 layer leading to a markedly increased photocurrent ͑J sc ͒ but a slightly decreased fill factor ͑ff͒ and voltage ͑V oc ͒. 6 The attachment of photosensitive molecules directly to nanotubes can mean highly efficient conduct...

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Single walled carbon nanotube network electrodes for dye solar cells

Cited by 35 publications

References 39 publications

Carbon Nanotubes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Carbon Nanotubes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

A TiO₂ Nanofiber–Carbon Nanotube‐Composite Photoanode for Improved Efficiency in Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

Electrochemistry and Photocurrent Response from Vertically-Aligned Chemically-Functionalized Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Arrays

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Single walled carbon nanotube network electrodes for dye solar cells

Cited by 35 publications

References 39 publications

Carbon Nanotubes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Carbon Nanotubes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

A TiO2 Nanofiber–Carbon Nanotube‐Composite Photoanode for Improved Efficiency in Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

Electrochemistry and Photocurrent Response from Vertically-Aligned Chemically-Functionalized Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Arrays

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A TiO₂ Nanofiber–Carbon Nanotube‐Composite Photoanode for Improved Efficiency in Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells