Non-covalent functionalisation of single wall carbon nanotubes for efficient dye-sensitised solar cells

作者：De Filpo Giovanni^*; Nicoletta Fiore Pasquale; Ciliberti Luca; Formoso Patrizia; Chidichimo Giuseppe

来源：Journal of Power Sources, 2015, 274: 274-279.

DOI：10.1016/j.jpowsour.2014.10.053

• Single wall carbon nanotubes
• Dye-sensitised solar cells
• Non-covalent functionalisation
• Organic photovoltaics

A new non-covalent sidewall functionalisation of single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) is proposed in order to use them in the production of dye-sensitised solar cells (DSSCs) with improved properties. 1(hydroxymethyl) pyrene (Py-OH) is irreversibly adsorbed onto the sidewalls of SWNTs via pi-stacking to avoid any chemical modification of SWNTs in an acidic environment. This generally changes the sidewall sp(2) structure of carbon nanotubes and, consequently, their physico-chemical properties. The presence of OH groups in Py-OH allows interaction with cis-bis(isothiocyanato)bis(2,2'-bipyridyl-4,4'-dicarboxylato) ruthenium(II) dye (N3), commonly used in the fabrication of DSSCs, and the formation of a SWNT/Py-OH/N3 complex. The physico-chemical properties of such complexes are studied and DSSCs are made by using glasses coated with fluorine tin oxide and aluminium film as the electrode and counter-electrode, respectively, with poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulphonate) as the electron-donor material. The current density vs. voltage curve of such cells is measured and shows the importance of the SWNT/Py-OH/N3 complex in the production of efficient dye-sensitised solar cells. A power efficiency of 6.21% is obtained at AM 1.5 simulated solar intensity. In addition, the new complex can be easily used in the fabrication of DSSC on flexible substrates, as high temperatures are not required.

• 出版日期2015-1-15