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Synthesis of low energy sensitive hybrid photovoltaic cells using carbon nanotubes: A 3D application device

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 February 2017

Phong Tran Hoang ,
Sayeeda T.J. Aishee ,
Glenn Grissom ,
Ahmed Touhami ,
H. Justin Moore  and
M. Jasim Uddin
Phong Tran Hoang
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley 1 West University Boulevard, Brownsville, TX 78520 Phone: 956-882-7772 Fax: 956-882-6692
Sayeeda T.J. Aishee
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley 1 West University Boulevard, Brownsville, TX 78520 Phone: 956-882-7772 Fax: 956-882-6692
Glenn Grissom
Affiliation:
Department of Physics The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley 1 West University Boulevard, Brownsville, TX 78520 Phone: 956-882-7772 Fax: 956-882-6692
Ahmed Touhami
Affiliation:
Department of Physics The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley 1 West University Boulevard, Brownsville, TX 78520 Phone: 956-882-7772 Fax: 956-882-6692
H. Justin Moore
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley 1 West University Boulevard, Brownsville, TX 78520 Phone: 956-882-7772 Fax: 956-882-6692
M. Jasim Uddin*
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley 1 West University Boulevard, Brownsville, TX 78520 Phone: 956-882-7772 Fax: 956-882-6692
*
*Corresponding Author: Email jasim.uddin@utrgv.edu
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Abstract

Over the last 30 years organic carbon nanotube-yarn (CNTY) based dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have received considerable interest. CNTY based DSSCs have become a main focus of alternative energy source research. CNTY based PV cells have an advantage over cells based on non-flexible substrates, such as fluorine doped tin oxide glass; as a foundation for dye-sensitized solar cells, CNTYs are superior due to their low-cost, environmental sustainability, high mechanical integrity, and numerous beneficial practical applications. CNTY based DSSCs also have additional advantages because of their low electrical resistance, excellent electrocatalytic activity, and ultra-high mechanical integrity. Additionally, quantum dots and polymers have shown great promise for photovoltalic application due to their tunable bandgap and wide photon absorption range. This research explores the barrier characteristics associated with new absorbing photovoltaic materials that promote electron/hole pair separation and transportation. Utilizing the hybrid bandgap structures of quantum dots and polymers as well as the flexibility of CNTY, we reported a 3D flexible DSSC with an efficiency of 2.9%.

Keywords

photovoltaicenergy generationhydrothermal
Type
Articles
Information
MRS Advances , Volume 2 , Issue 14: Nanomaterials , 2017 , pp. 791 - 798
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2017 

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References

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