Nanostructured CuO Films on Copper: Fabrication and Application as a Cathode in Dye-Sensitized TiO2 Solar Cells

Nanostructured CuO films are grown on copper substrates by a wet chemical method in a water bath. It has been successfully used as a cathode for dye-sensitized TiO₂ nanoparticle solar cells. The effects of reaction temperature, time, and pH on the film properties and solar energy conversion have been investigated. Under favorable conditions, we obtain a short circuit current density of J_sc=0.83 mA/cm², an open circuit voltage of V_oc=0.59 mV, a fill factor of FF=0.25, and a power conversion efficiency of eta_e=0.82%(with white light illumination: 15 mW/cm²). The nanostructured CuO films appear to be a promising hole-transport media in dye-sensitized solar cells for the photocurrent generation