Two carboxyethyltin functionalized polyoxometalates for assembly on carbon nanotubes as efficient counter electrode materials in dye-sensitized solar cells

2014 ◽  
Vol 50 (93) ◽  
pp. 14678-14681 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao-Jing Sang ◽  
Jian-Sheng Li ◽  
Lan-Cui Zhang ◽  
Zai-Ming Zhu ◽  
Wei-Lin Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
Electrocatalytic Activity ◽  
Counter Electrode ◽  
Electrode Materials ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽  
Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
Counter Electrodes ◽  
Dye Sensitized ◽  
Walled Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
Sensitized Solar Cells

Two new POM-carboxyethyltin derivatives increased the electrocatalytic activity of single-walled carbon nanotubes toward triiodide reduction as counter electrodes in DSSCs.

Improved Efficiency of Dye Sensitized Solar Cells Using Aligned Carbon Nanotubes

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert A. Sayer ◽  
Stephen L. Hodson ◽  
Timothy S. Fisher
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Counter Electrode ◽  
Microwave Plasma ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽  
Planar Geometry ◽  
Counter Electrodes ◽  
Dye Sensitized ◽  
Cnt Arrays ◽  
Sensitized Solar Cells

Dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) offer many advantages in comparison to their Si-based counterparts, including lower cost of raw materials, faster manufacturing time, and the ability to be integrated with flexible substrates. Although many advances have been made in DSSC fabrication over recent years, their efficiency remains lower than commercially available Si photovoltaic cells. Here we report improved efficiency of TiO2/anthocyanin dye solar cell using aligned arrays of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as a counter electrode. Dense vertically oriented CNT arrays are grown directly on the counter electrode using microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition and a tri-layer (Ti/Al/Fe) catalyst. The resulting arrays are 30 micrometers in height and have a number density of approximately five hundred million per square millimeter. By directly growing the CNTs on the counter electrode substrate, electrical interface conductance is enhanced. The performance of both as-grown and N-doped (using a nitrogen plasma) CNT arrays is reported. The fabricated DSSCs are tested under AM1.5 light. Increased short circuit current is observed in comparison to graphite and Pt counter electrodes. We attribute this improvement to the large surface area created by the 3D structure of the arrays in comparison to the planar geometry of the graphite and Pt electrodes as well as the excellent electrical properties of the CNTs.

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