Effect of Nitric Acid Concentration on Doping of Thin Film Single-walled Carbon Nanotubes for Electrode Application in Transparent, Flexible Dye Sensitized Solar Cells

2013 ◽  
Vol 1436 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liling Zhang ◽  
Manohar Rao ◽  
Jinesh Kochupurackal ◽  
Nripan Mathews ◽  
Yeng Ming Lam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Work Function ◽  
Sheet Resistance ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽  
Counter Electrodes ◽  
Plastic Substrates ◽  
Dye Sensitized ◽  
Sensitized Solar Cells

ABSTRACTA simple method is proposed for the chemical modification of carbon nanotubes (CNT) thin film counter electrodes (CE) for the replacement of fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) and platinum catalyst (Pt) while retaining light transparency. In order to decrease the sheet resistance, CNT thin films underwent various concentrations (≤10 M) and durations of HNO3 treatment prior to cell fabrication, and the effect on thin film properties was analyzed. P-doping was observed, and the maximum change in work function was found to be +0.35 eV with 4 M HNO3. Optimum sheet resistance reduction (50%) and work function increment were achieved after 1 h treatment with 4 M HNO3. Changes in optical transmittances for all samples were negligible (± 5%). Pristine and HNO3 treated films on plastic substrates were tested as CE in flexible bifacial dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC). Most significant improvements in conversion efficiencies were obtained when CNT on plastic substrates were pretreated with 8 M HNO3 (from 1.18% to 1.40% under roomlight, from 0.19% to 0.26% under 1 Sun).

The Effects of Sputtering Pressure on the Properties of Carbon Counter Electrodes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

2012 ◽  
Vol 430-432 ◽  
pp. 631-635
Author(s):  
Shu Hong Liu ◽  
Gui Shan Liu ◽  
Xiao Yue Shen ◽  
Zhi Qiang Hu
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Sheet Resistance ◽  
Carbon Film ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽  
Photoelectric Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Photoelectric Conversion ◽  
Counter Electrodes ◽  
Dye Sensitized ◽  
Sputtering Pressure ◽  
Sensitized Solar Cells

The carbon counter electrodes for Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were deposited on FTO glass using graphite target by bipolar pulse magnetron sputtering. The effects of sputtering pressure on the structures and properties for carbon films were investigated. The carbon bond structure was analyzed by Raman spectra. The sheet resistance of carbon film was detected by four-probe tester. The transmittance was tested by UV-visible spectrum. The performance of DSSCs was tested by solar simulator after the cells assembled. The results indicated that the ratio of ID/IG reduced, the degree of graphitization decreased, sheet resistance raised, transmittance increased and photoelectric conversion efficiency reduced with the increasing of sputtering pressure.

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.

Application of Carbon Nanotubes to Counter Electrodes of Dye-sensitized Solar Cells

2003 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuharu Suzuki ◽  
Makoto Yamaguchi ◽  
Mikio Kumagai ◽  
Shozo Yanagida
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽  
Counter Electrodes ◽  
Dye Sensitized ◽  
Sensitized Solar Cells

scholarly journals Dye Sensitized Solar Cells with Low Cost Carbon Nanotubes Electrodes

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. M. Al-Marzouki ◽  
S. Abdalla ◽  
S. Al-Ameer
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽  
Counter Electrodes ◽  
Partial Shading ◽  
Dye Sensitized ◽  
Solid Film ◽  
Solar Conversion ◽  
Sensitized Solar Cells

Dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are very sensitive to electrodes, due to either high cost or easy corrosion problems. To minimize these factors, we present DSSCs with cheap carbon nanotubes as counter electrodes. In addition, we suggest replacing the electrolyte (in typical DSSCs) with a solid film of powdered CsSnI3. The electrical behavior (I-Vcharacteristics) of the proposed device has been measured for different shading conditions. In the light of a theoretical model based on the presence of two diodes, the experimental data have been explained, taking into account a new equivalent circuit for the DSSC. These DSSCs may receive different levels of sun radiation, which stimulates the study of partial shading; so, we have studied the effect of different shadow rates on the solar conversion efficiency of a unit of 4-W-connected DSSCs. The validity of the present model has been examined by fitting it intoI-Vcharacteristics at different shading rates.

NiCo2S4 nanosheet thin film counter electrodes prepared by a two-step approach for dye-sensitized solar cells

2018 ◽  
Vol 217 ◽  
pp. 185-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kangle Liu ◽  
Aixiang Wei ◽  
Jun Liu ◽  
Zhen Liu ◽  
Zhiming Xiao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽  
Counter Electrodes ◽  
Dye Sensitized ◽  
Sensitized Solar Cells
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