journal article·2014-12

A facile way to fabricate graphene sheets on TiO2 nanotube arrays for dye-sensitized solar cell applications

Yang Wang, Zhen Li, Yunfeng Tian, Wen Zhao, Xueqin Liu, Jianbo Yang

Journal of Materials Science· Volume 49· Issue 23
Publisher page

Abstract

Large-area graphene sheets on TiO2 nanotube arrays (RGO/TNAs) were fabricated using a simple electrochemical method. The RGO content loaded on the arrays was controlled by changing the electrochemical reaction time. The microstructures and properties of RGO/TNAs were characterized and measured using field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction pattern, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, FT-IR spectra, and ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy. The results indicated that an appropriate reaction time clearly enhances photoelectrochemical properties, while excessive RGO loading significantly lowers their performance. Remarkably, in sharp contrast to the dye-sensitized solar cells prepared by TNAs as photoanode, the RGO/TNAs showed a significantly enhanced power conversion efficiency of 4.46 %. The improvement of light harvesting is due to the excellent property of RGO and the special structure of the composite.
Source: openaire · Quality: candidate unverified · Source record ↗

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques · TiO2 Photocatalysis and Solar Cells · Quantum Dots Synthesis And Properties

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

References (41)

Show source-provided references
1. Zhang J, Xu Q, Feng Z, Li M, Li C (2008) Importance of the relationship between surface phases and photocatalytic activity of TiO2. Angew Chem Int Ed 47:1766–176910.1002/anie.200704788 ↗
2. Jen HP, Lin MH, Li LL, Wu HP, Huang WK, Cheng PJ, Diau EWG (2013) High-performance large-scale flexible dye-sensitized solar cells based on anodic TiO2 nanotube arrays. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 5:10098–1010410.1021/am402687j ↗
3. Varghese OK, Paulose M, Grimes CA (2009) Long vertically aligned titania nanotubes on transparent conducting oxide for highly efficient solar cells. Nat Nanotechnol 4:592–59710.1038/nnano.2009.226 ↗
4. Mor GK, Varghese OK, Paulose M, Shankar K, Grimes CA (2006) A review on highly ordered, vertically oriented TiO2 nanotube arrays: fabrication, material properties, and solar energy applications. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells 90:2011–207510.1016/j.solmat.2006.04.007 ↗
5. Wang XL, Zheng J, Sui XT, Xie H, Liu BS, Zhao XJ (2013) CdS quantum dots sensitized solar cells based on free-standing and through-hole TiO2 nanotube arrays. Dalton Trans 42:14726–1473210.1039/c3dt51266e ↗
6. Li GS, Wu L, Li F, Xu PP, Zhang DQ, Li HX (2013) Photoelectrocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants via a CdS quantum dots enhanced TiO2 nanotube array electrode under visible light irradiation. Nanoscale 5:2118–212510.1039/c3nr34253k ↗
7. Galstyan V, Vomiero A, Concina I et al (2011) Vertically aligned TiO2 nanotubes on plastic substrates for flexible solar cells. Small 7:2437–244210.1002/smll.201190060 ↗
8. Vomiero A, Galstyan V, Braga A (2011) Flexible dye sensitized solar cells using TiO2 nanotubes. Energy Environ Sci 4:3408–341310.1039/c0ee00485e ↗
9. Asaki R, Morikawa T, Ohwaki T, Aoki K, Taga Y (2001) Visible-light photocatalysis in nitrogen-doped titanium oxides. Science 293(5528):269–27110.1126/science.1061051 ↗
10. Chen XB, Mao SS (2007) Titanium dioxide nanomaterials: synthesis, properties, modifications, and applications. Chem Rev 107(7):2891–295910.1021/cr0500535 ↗
11. Wang HL, Robinson JT, Diankov G, Dai HJ (2010) Nanocrystal growth on graphene with various degrees of oxidation. J Am Chem Soc 132:3270–327110.1021/ja100329d ↗
12. Kim KS, Zhao Y, Jang H, Lee SY, Kim JM, Kim KS et al (2009) Large scale pattern growth of graphene films for stretchable transparent electrodes. Nature 457(7230):706–71010.1038/nature07719 ↗
13. Geim AK (2009) Graphene: status and prospects. Science 324(5934):1530–153410.1126/science.1158877 ↗
14. Jiang G, Lin Z, Chen C, Zhu L, Chang Q, Wang N et al (2011) TiO 2 nanoparticles assembled on graphene oxide nanosheets with high photocatalytic activity for removal of pollutants. Carbon 49:2693–270110.1016/j.carbon.2011.02.059 ↗
15. Fan WQ, Lai QH, Zhang QH, Wang Y (2011) Nanocomposites of TiO 2 and reduced graphene oxide as efficient photocatalysts for hydrogen evolution. J Phys Chem C 115:10694–1070110.1021/jp2008804 ↗
16. Liu CB, Teng YR, Liu RH, Luo SL, Tang YH, Chen LY, Cai QY (2011) Fabrication of graphene films on TiO 2 nanotube arrays for photocatalytic application. Carbon 49:5312–532010.1016/j.carbon.2011.07.051 ↗
17. Song P, Zhang XY, Sun MX, Cui XL, Lin YH (2012) Graphene oxide modified TiO2 nanotube arrays: enhanced visible light photoelectrochemical properties. Nanoscale 4:1800–180410.1039/c2nr11938b ↗
18. Yun JH, Wong RJ, Ng YH, Du A, Amal R (2012) Combined electrophoretic deposition-anodization method to fabricate reduced graphene oxide-TiO 2 nanotube films. RSC Adv 2:8164–817110.1039/c2ra20827j ↗
19. Xian JJ, Li DZ, Chen J, Li XF, He M, Shao Y, Yu LH, Fang JL (2014) A large-area smooth graphene film on a TiO2 nanotube array via a one-step electrochemical process. J Mater Chem A 2:5187–519210.1039/c3ta14464j ↗
20. Wang Y, Li Z, Tian YF, Zhao W, Liu XQ, Yang JB (2014) Facile method for fabricating silver-doped TiO2 nanotube arrays with enhanced photoelectrochemical property. Mater Lett 122:248–25110.1016/j.matlet.2014.02.053 ↗
21. William S, Hummers JR, Richard EO (1958) Preparation of graphitic oxide. J Am Chem Soc 80:133910.1021/ja01539a017 ↗
22. Yu JG, Fan JJ, Cheng B (2011) Dye-sensitized solar cells based on anatase TiO2 hollow spheres/carbon nanotube composite films. J Power Sources 196:7891–789810.1016/j.jpowsour.2011.05.014 ↗
23. Liu XJ, Pan LK, Zhao QF, Lv T, Zhu G, Chen TQ, Lu T, Sun Z, Sun CQ (2012) UV assisted photocatalytic synthesis of ZnO-reduced graphene oxide composites with enhanced photocatalytic activity in reduction of Cr(VI). Chem Eng J 183:540–549
24. Wang DT, Li X, Chen JF, Tao X (2012) Enhanced photoelectrocatalytic activity of reduced graphene oxide/TiO2 composite films for dye degradation. Chem Eng J 198–199:547–55410.1016/j.cej.2012.04.062 ↗
25. Li Q, Guo BD, Yu JG, Ran JR, Zhang BH, Yan HJ, Gong JR (2011) Highly efficient visible-light-driven photocatalytic hydrogen production of CdS-cluster-decorated graphene nanosheets. J Am Chem Soc 133:10878–1088410.1021/ja2025454 ↗
26. Zhang YH, Tang ZR, Fu XZ, Xu YJ (2011) Engineering the unique 2D mat of graphene to achieve graphene-TiO2 nanocomposite for photocatalytic selective transformation: what advantage does graphene have over its forebear carbon nanotube? ACS Nano 5:7426–743510.1021/nn202519j ↗
27. Nethravathi C, Rajamathi M (2008) Chemically modified graphene sheets produced by the solvothermal reduction of colloidal dispersions of graphite oxide. Carbon 46:1994–199810.1016/j.carbon.2008.08.013 ↗
28. Xiang QJ, Yu JG, Jaroniec M (2011) Preparation and enhanced visible-light photocatalytic H2-production activity of graphene/C3N4 composites. J Phys Chem C 115:7355–736310.1021/jp200953k ↗
29. Shen J, Yan B, Shi M, Ma H, Li N, Ye M (2011) One step hydrothermal synthesis of TiO2-reduced graphene oxide sheets. J Mater Chem 21:3415–342110.1039/c0jm03542d ↗
30. Dembele KT, Selopal GS, Soldano C et al (2013) Hybrid carbon nanotubes-TiO2 photoanodes for high efficiency dye-sensitized solar cells. J Phys Chem C 117:14510–1451710.1021/jp403553t ↗
31. Fan ZJ, Yan J, Wei T, Zhi LJ, Ning GQ, Li TY, Wei F (2011) Asymmetric supercapacitors based on graphene/MnO2 and activated carbon nanofiber electrodes with high power and energy density. Adv Funct Mater 21:2366–237510.1002/adfm.201100058 ↗
32. An GM, Ma WH, Sun ZY, Liu ZM et al (2007) Preparation of titania/carbon nanotube composites using supercritical ethanol and their photocatalytic activity for phenol degradation under visible light irradiation. Carbon 45:1795–180110.1016/j.carbon.2007.04.034 ↗
33. Wang Y, Shao Y, Matson DW, Li J, Lin Y (2010) Nitrogen-doped graphene and its application in electrochemical biosensing. ACS Nano 4:1790–179810.1021/nn100315s ↗
34. Zhang J, Pan C, Fang P, Wei J, Xiong R (2010) Mo + C codoped TiO2 using thermal oxidation for enhancing photocatalytic activity. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2:1173–117610.1021/am100011c ↗
35. Sun X, Xie M, Wang GK et al (2012) Atomic layer deposition of TiO2 on graphene for supercapacitors. J Electrochem Soc 159(4):A364–A36910.1149/2.025204jes ↗
36. Zhang YP, Pan CX (2011) TiO2/graphene composite from thermal reaction of grapheme oxide and its photocatalytic activity in visible light. J Mater Sci 46:2622–262610.1007/s10853-010-5116-x ↗
37. Williams G, Seger B, Kamat PV (2008) TiO2-graphene nanocomposites. UV-assisted photocatalytic reduction of graphene oxide. ACS Nano 2:1487–149110.1021/nn800251f ↗
38. Fan JJ, Liu SW, Yu JG, Eda G (2012) Enhanced photovoltaic performance of dye-sensitized solar cells based on TiO2 nanosheets/graphene composite films. J Mater Chem 22:15027–1503610.1039/c2jm33104g ↗
39. Chang JL, Yang JL, Ma PF, Wu DP, Tian L, Gao ZY, Jiang K, Yang L (2013) Hierarchical titania mesoporous sphere/graphene composite, synthesis and application as photoanode in dye sensitized solar cells. J Coll Interfac Sci 394:231–23610.1016/j.jcis.2012.12.009 ↗
40. Madhavan AA, Kalluri S, Chacko DK et al (2012) Electrical and optical properties of electrospun TiO2-graphene composite nanofibers and its application as DSSC photo-anodes. RSC Adv 2:13032–1303710.1039/c2ra22091a ↗
41. Lee KM, Hu CW, Chen HW, Ho KC (2008) Incorporating carbon nanotube in a low-temperature fabrication process for dye-sensitized TiO2 solar cells. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells 92:1628–163310.1016/j.solmat.2008.07.012 ↗