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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Enhancing in the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells by the incorporation of functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes into TiO2 films: The role of MWCNT addition

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Author(s):
de Morais, Andreia [1] ; Loiola, Livia M. D. [1] ; Benedetti, Joao E. [1] ; Goncalves, Agnaldo S. [1] ; Avellaneda, Cesar A. O. [1] ; Clerici, Joao H. [2] ; Cotta, Monica A. [2] ; Nogueira, Ana F. [1]
Total Authors: 8
Affiliation:
[1] State Univ Campinas Unicamp, Lab Nanotechnol & Solar Energy, Inst Chem, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP - Brazil
[2] State Univ Campinas Unicamp, Gleb Wataghin Phys Inst, BR-13870859 Campinas, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 2
Document type: Journal article
Source: JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY A-CHEMISTRY; v. 251, p. 78-84, JAN 1 2013.
Web of Science Citations: 23
Abstract

TiO2-MWCNT composite electrodes were prepared by a direct mixing method. The presence of acid-treated multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT-COOH) into the titanium dioxide (TiO2) photoanode was investigated by Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The morphological properties of the composite photoanodes were analyzed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FEG-SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The performance of quasi-solid state dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) using TiO2-MWCNT photoanodes was dependent on the MWCNT loading. Compared with a DSSC based on conventional TiO2 electrodes, the TiO2-MWCNT film containing 0.02 wt.% of carbon nanotubes provided an increase of ca. 30% in device's efficiency, which was attributed to an enhanced short-circuit current density (J(sc)). The improvement on J(sc) was correlated with an enhanced interconnectivity between MWCNT-COOH and TiO2 nanoparticles. The carbonaceous materials introduced an alternative electrical conduction pathway which facilitates rapid electron transport in the photoelectrode, as suggested from Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) measurements. At high MWCNT loading, we observed that the energy conversion efficiency decreased due to energy losses from the optical absorption of carbonaceous materials, and also due to an increase in charge recombination. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 06/58998-3 - Preparation, characterization and application of gel polymer electrolyte in dye sensitized solar cells
Grantee:João Eduardo Benedetti
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
FAPESP's process: 10/18656-1 - Preparation and characterization of TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles composites containing carbonaceous materials and their application in solar cells
Grantee:Andreia de Morais
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate