Optimization of the cutting process of multi-wall carbon nanotubes for enhanced dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were fabricated based on multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT)–TiO2 photo-anodes, which were prepared by the procedures of cutting MWCNTs and subsequent immobilization TiO2 on MWCNTs. Through a detailed study, we found that cut-MWCNTs with proper ultrasonication time (2 h) and proper content (0.075%) resulted in 58 and 40% increase in short-circuit photocurrent and overall energy conversion efficiency, respectively, compared with that of a DSSC using only TiO2 photo-anode. The enhancement of cut-MWCNTs for DSSC was attributed to the introduction of percolative conductive paths which facilitate the rapid electron transfer.