Solid state dye-sensitized photovoltaic micro-wires (DSPMs) with carbon nanotubes yarns as counter electrode: Synthesis and characterization

Innovative all solid state dye-sensitized photovoltaic micro-wires (DSPMs) have been developed using low-cost, thermally-stable and highly conductive titanium micro-wires and carbon nanotubes yarns (CNYs). Highly inter-aligned, ultrastrong and flexible CNYs with excellent electrical conductivity, me...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Solar energy materials and solar cells Vol. 108; pp. 65 - 69
Main Authors:	Uddin, M.J., Dickens, T., Yan, J., Chirayath, R., Olawale, D.O., Okoli, O.I.
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01-01-2013 Elsevier
Subjects:	Applied sciences Carbon nanotubes Carbon nanotubes yarn Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering Electrical machines Electrodes Electrolytic cells Exact sciences and technology Fiber-shaped electrode Miscellaneous Photocurrent Photoelectric effect Photovoltaic cells Photovoltaic micro-wire Solar cells Solid electrolyte Yarns Fiber-shaped electrode Carbon nanotubes yarn Photovoltaic micro-wire Solid electrolyte Performance evaluation Conducting material Electrical conductivity Glass Carbon nanotubes Flexibility Optimization Titanium Illumination Auxiliary electrode Current density Cost lowering Cladding Open circuit voltage Solid state Electric machine Reproducibility Salient pole machine Plastics Titanium oxide Photoelectric current Transparent material On off effect
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Summary:	Innovative all solid state dye-sensitized photovoltaic micro-wires (DSPMs) have been developed using low-cost, thermally-stable and highly conductive titanium micro-wires and carbon nanotubes yarns (CNYs). Highly inter-aligned, ultrastrong and flexible CNYs with excellent electrical conductivity, mechanical integrity and catalytic property have been successfully used as counter electrodes (CEs). The open circuit voltage and current density of the DSPMs can remarkably be improved through optimizing the numbers of CNYs and CNYs–TiO2 interface. Optimizing the number of CNYs in the CEs yields a photoconversion efficiency of 0.1959% with prolonged-time stability. The DSPMs were made without expensive transparent conductive oxides (TCOs), liquid electrolytes and glass or plastic cladding. The DSPMs are able to transport photocurrent over a significant distance using a simple cell configuration with a wide range of flexibility (10–180°). These cells are capable of efficiently harvesting incident photon from any direction and generate photocurrent with an efficient reproducibility throughout a large number of illumination on–off cycles. [Display omitted] ► An all solid state dye-sensitized photovoltaic microwires (DSPMs) have been developed. ► DSPMs were capable of efficiently harvesting incident photon regardless of direction. ► These devices were found to harvest photoenergy with wide range of flexibility and reproducibility.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23
ISSN:	0927-0248 1879-3398
DOI:	10.1016/j.solmat.2012.09.003