10.1186/2193-8865-3-19

Functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes for enhanced photocurrent in dye-sensitized solar cells

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  • Chandra Sekharan Nair Omana Amma Sreekala*1,
  • Jinchu Indiramma1,
  • Kandala Bala Subramanya Pavan Kumar1,
  • Karyaveettil Savithriamma Sreelatha2,
  • Mahesh Saran Roy3,
  1. School of Biotechnology, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amritapuri Campus, Kollam, Kerala, 690525, IN
  2. School of Biotechnology, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amritapuri Campus, Kollam, Kerala, 690525, IN Government Polytechnic College, Kottayam, Kerala, 686013, IN
  3. Defence Laboratory, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, 342011, IN
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Published in Issue 24-04-2013

How to Cite

Sreekala, C. S. N. O. A., Indiramma, J., Kumar, K. B. S. P., Sreelatha, K. S., & Roy, M. S. (2013). Functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes for enhanced photocurrent in dye-sensitized solar cells. Journal of Nanostructure in Chemistry, 3(1 (December 2013). https://doi.org/10.1186/2193-8865-3-19
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Abstract

Abstract The influence of the incorporation of nitric acid-treated (functionalized) multi-walled carbon nanotubes (f-MWCNTs) and unmodified MWCNTs in TiO 2 films are investigated by observing the photocurrent-voltage characteristics of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) with and without MWCNTs. The short-circuit photocurrent ( J sc ) of the modified DSSC increased by 46% compared with that of a cell with plain TiO 2 film. The open-circuit voltage remained the same for all cases. The enhanced J sc is explained by the increased surface area of the film, enhanced cluster formation of TiO 2 particles around f-MWCNTs, and improved interconnectivity of TiO 2 particles in the presence of f-MWCNTs. The efficiency of the cell increased by 45% due to J sc enhancement.

Keywords

  • Multi-walled carbon nanotubes,
  • Dye-sensitized solar cell,
  • Short-circuit photocurrent,
  • Open-circuit voltage,
  • Cluster formation
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