Author/Authors :
Nair Omana Amma Sreekala, Chandra Sekharan School of Biotechnology - Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham - Amritapuri Campus - Kollam, India , Indiramma, Jinchu School of Biotechnology - Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham - Amritapuri Campus - Kollam, India , Subramanya Pavan Kumar, Kandala Bala School of Biotechnology - Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham - Amritapuri Campus - Kollam, India , Savithriamma Sreelatha, Karyaveettil School of Biotechnology - Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham - Amritapuri Campus - Kollam, India , Saran Roy, Mahesh School of Biotechnology - Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham - Amritapuri Campus - Kollam, India
Abstract :
The influence of the incorporation of nitric acid-treated (functionalized) multi-walled carbon nanotubes (f-MWCNTs)
and unmodified MWCNTs in TiO2 films are investigated by observing the photocurrent-voltage characteristics of
dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) with and without MWCNTs. The short-circuit photocurrent (Jsc) of the modified
DSSC increased by 46% compared with that of a cell with plain TiO2 film. The open-circuit voltage remained the
same for all cases. The enhanced Jsc is explained by the increased surface area of the film, enhanced cluster
formation of TiO2 particles around f-MWCNTs, and improved interconnectivity of TiO2 particles in the presence of
f-MWCNTs. The efficiency of the cell increased by 45% due to Jsc enhancement.
Keywords :
Multi-walled carbon nanotubes , Dye-sensitized solar cell , Short-circuit photocurrent , Open-circuit voltage , Cluster formation
