Highly Stable Dye Sensitized Solar Cells with TiO2/MWCNT Nanocomposite Photoanodes

Abstract

Ever since the first Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs) have been reported in 1991, a considerable research is going on for improving its efficiency. The intensive research has made conversion efficiency to reach 14.3%. Although, fewer efforts have been made towards the study of their stability. This paper deals with the addition of MWCNTs to TiO₂ photoanode and their effect on the stability of the DSSCs. Nanocomposites of MWCNT and TiO₂ nanoparticles have been prepared in two different methods and characterized using FESEM and XRD. An optimum thick photoanodes were prepared using these composites and used in DSSC preparation. The photovoltaic performance of DSSCs was observed for a period of 6 months with an interval of 2 months. A huge decline was observed in the performance of cells made with pristine TiO₂ photoanode whereas the cells with TiO₂/MWCNT nanocomposite photoanode showed stability with a negligible decrease in the efficiency. Cells with nanocomposites prepared in both the methods were able to maintain their short circuit current (JSC) and open circuit voltage (VOC) even after continuous exposure of ambient light for 6 months. The work concludes that the addition of MWCNTs has made DSSCs less susceptible for ambient conditions.<div><br></div>