Photocurrent Improvement by Incorporation of Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes in TiO2 Film of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract

Single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCN) were integrated in TiO2 film and the beneficial influence on the dye-sensitized solar cells in terms of improved photocurrent was studied in the light of static J-V characteristics obtained both under illumination and in the dark, photocurrent transients, IPCE spectra and impedance spectra. Compared with a solar cell without SWCN, it is established that the photocurrent density of the modified cell increases at all applied potentials. The enhanced photocurrent density is correlated with the augmented concentration of electrons in the conduction band of TiO2 and with increased electrical conductivity. Explanations are additionally corroborated with the help of SEM, Raman spectra and dye-desorption measurements.