Carbon nanotube and graphite oxide surfaces modifiedwith polyethylene oxide for dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract

In this study, the photovoltaic properties of the dyesensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were enhanced by the incorporationof the polyethylene oxide (PEO) intercalated graphiteoxides sheets (GO-P) or PEOsurface grafted carbon nanotubes(CNT-P) into the PEO gel electrolytes. The PEO modifiedcarbon materials were served as the extended electron transfermaterials, and the catalysts for the electrochemical reductionof I3−. The ionic conductivity of PEO gel electrolytewas not significantly influenced by the incorporation ofGO-P or CNT-P. Because of the high catalytic activities, theincorporation of GO-P or CNT-P into the gel electrolyte isfavorable for decreasing the charge transfer and recombinationresistances. Therefore, better PV performance was observedfor the DSSCs based on the GO-P/PEO or CNT-P/PEO electrolytesas compared to the PEO electrolyte based DSSCs. Thephotoelectric conversion efficiencies of DSSCs were respectivelyenhanced by 19 % and 32 % via the incorporations ofGO-P and CNT-P