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Effect of Nitric Acid Concentration on Doping of Thin Film Single-walled Carbon Nanotubes for Electrode Application in Transparent, Flexible Dye Sensitized Solar Cells

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 January 2013

Liling Zhang ,
Manohar Rao ,
Jinesh Kochupurackal ,
Nripan Mathews ,
Yeng Ming Lam  and
Subodh G. Mhaisalkar
Liling Zhang
Affiliation:
Energy Research Institute @ NTU (ERI@N), Research TechnoPlaza, Level 5, 50 Nanyang Drive, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637553. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Block N4.1, Nanyang Avenue, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798.
Manohar Rao
Affiliation:
Energy Research Institute @ NTU (ERI@N), Research TechnoPlaza, Level 5, 50 Nanyang Drive, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637553.
Jinesh Kochupurackal
Affiliation:
Energy Research Institute @ NTU (ERI@N), Research TechnoPlaza, Level 5, 50 Nanyang Drive, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637553.
Nripan Mathews
Affiliation:
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Block N4.1, Nanyang Avenue, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798.
Yeng Ming Lam
Affiliation:
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Block N4.1, Nanyang Avenue, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798.
Subodh G. Mhaisalkar
Affiliation:
Energy Research Institute @ NTU (ERI@N), Research TechnoPlaza, Level 5, 50 Nanyang Drive, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637553.
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Abstract

A simple method is proposed for the chemical modification of carbon nanotubes (CNT) thin film counter electrodes (CE) for the replacement of fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) and platinum catalyst (Pt) while retaining light transparency. In order to decrease the sheet resistance, CNT thin films underwent various concentrations (≤10 M) and durations of HNO3 treatment prior to cell fabrication, and the effect on thin film properties was analyzed. P-doping was observed, and the maximum change in work function was found to be +0.35 eV with 4 M HNO3. Optimum sheet resistance reduction (50%) and work function increment were achieved after 1 h treatment with 4 M HNO3. Changes in optical transmittances for all samples were negligible (± 5%). Pristine and HNO3 treated films on plastic substrates were tested as CE in flexible bifacial dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC). Most significant improvements in conversion efficiencies were obtained when CNT on plastic substrates were pretreated with 8 M HNO3 (from 1.18% to 1.40% under roomlight, from 0.19% to 0.26% under 1 Sun).

Keywords

devicestransparent conductorspray deposition
Type
Articles
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 1436: Symposium K – Advanced Materials and Processes for Systems-on-Plastic , 2012 , mrss12-1436-k06-03
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2013

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