Gold nanoparticle decorated multi-walled carbon nanotubes as counter electrode for dye sensitized solar cells

J Nanosci Nanotechnol. 2012 Nov;12(11):8323-9. doi: 10.1166/jnn.2012.6681.

Abstract

A novel counter electrode material for dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) composed of nanostructured Au particles decorated on functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (f-MWNTs) is demonstrated for the first time. MWNTs synthesized by catalytic chemical vapor deposition technique are purified and functionalized by treating with concentrated acids. Au nanoparticles are decorated on f-MWNTs by a rapid and facile microwave assisted polyol reduction method. The materials are characterized by X-ray diffractometry, Fourier transform infra red spectroscopy and electron microscopy. The DSSC fabricated with Au/f-MWNTs based counter electrode shows enhanced power conversion efficiency (eta) of 4.9% under AM 1.5G simulated solar radiation. In comparison, the reference DSSCs fabricated with f-MWNTs and Pt counter electrodes show eta of 2.1% and 4.5%. This high performance of Au/f-MWNTs counter electrode is investigated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry studies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Absorption
  • Coloring Agents / chemistry*
  • Crystallization / methods*
  • Electric Power Supplies*
  • Electrodes*
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Gold / chemistry*
  • Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Metal Nanoparticles / ultrastructure
  • Nanotechnology / instrumentation*
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / chemistry*
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / ultrastructure
  • Particle Size
  • Solar Energy*

Substances

  • Coloring Agents
  • Nanotubes, Carbon
  • Gold