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A novel strategy of fast solvent induced assembly is used to synthesize a three-dimensional (3D) nanocomposite of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and TiO2, as the counter electrode (CE) of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The structure and morphology studies show that the as-prepared nanocomposite possesses a porous structure, large specific surface area and abundant active sites. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry analysis reveal that the developed structure facilitates a fast rate of reduction of I3− and promotes charge transportation. The DSSCs exhibit a remarkable enhanced power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 7.95%, as compared to 7.38% for the conventional Pt CE, after irradiation under standard conditions (AM 1.5G, 100 mW cm−2).

In this paper, we fabricated nickel oxide nanofilament/multiwall carbon nanotubes (NiO-NF/MWCNT) nanocomposite by a simple hydrothermal synthesis method as a counter- electrode (CE) in a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). Transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy images and X-ray diffraction analysis clearly indicated the formation of NiO-NF/MWCNT nanocomposite. The electro-chemical properties of NiO-NF/MWCNT CE are studied by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. In particular, current-voltage measurements indicated superior power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 7.63% of the NiO-NF/MWCNT CE compared to 6.72% for the platinum (Pt). The superior photovoltaic performance and low cost of the NiO-NF/MWCNT nanocomposite can be potentially exploited as a new counter-electrode in DSSCs.

It has long been accepted that the formation of superlattices in hexagonal‐based potassium tungsten bronzes is attributed to K vacancies only, together with small displacements of W cations. Here, the superlattices within potassium tungsten bronze nanosheets both structurally and spectroscopically at atomic resolution using comprehensive transmission electron microscopy techniques are studied. The multidimensional chemical analyses are realized by energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, electron energy‐loss spectroscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, the atomic‐scale structures are characterized using aberration‐corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy with high‐angle annular‐dark‐field detector. The observed superstructures are mainly attributed to small amount of W vacancies within single atomic layer, which would recover to more uniform distributions of W vacancies with lower concentrations at higher temperature. The band regions of different orientation from the matrix tend to regulate the superstructures to be pinned along the same direction, forming domains of highly ordered structures. The characterization of cation ordering and recovery processes of nanostructures from chemical and structural point of view at atomic resolution enables rational design of optoelectronic devices with controlled physical properties.

ZnSe nanospirals including structures with polarity continuation and polarity frustration are simultaneously observed at atomic resolution. Through careful analysis of polarity within each dumbbell based on aberration-corrected high-angle annular-dark-field imaging, polarity continuation across parallel polytype interfaces as well as the surrounding Z-shape faulted dipoles is verified. Moreover, polarity frustration across regions with different stacking sequence, which would lead to accumulations of boundary interface charges in the triangular-shaped mixed regions with potential optoelectronic applications, is carefully studied.

Anatase TiO2 tree-like nanoarrays were prepared on various metal wires (Ti, W, Ni, etc.) through one-step facile hydrothermal reaction. The anatase TiO2 tree-like nanoarrays consist of long TiO2 nanowire trunks with direct charge transport channels, and a large number of short TiO2 nanorod branches with large surface areas. Fiber dye-sensitized solar cells (FDSSCs) based on the anatase TiO2 tree-like nanoarrays deposited on Ti wires can achieve outstanding power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 6.32%, while FDSSCs on W wires have lower PCE of 3.24% due to the formation of WO3 layer, which might enhance recombination of charges. When the substrate is changed to a Nicole oxide wire, a novel p-n heterojunction can be obtained. This universal method is simple, facile, and low cost for preparing anatase TiO2 treelike-nanoarrays on various metal wires, which may find potential applications in fabrication of optoelectronic devices.

Anatase TiO2 tree-like nanoarrays were prepared on various metal wires (Ti, W, Ni, etc.) through one-step facile hydrothermal reaction. The anatase TiO2 tree-like nanoarrays consist of long TiO2 nanowire trunks with direct charge transport channels, and a large number of short TiO2 nanorod branches with large surface areas. Fiber dye-sensitized solar cells (FDSSCs) based on the anatase TiO2 tree-like nanoarrays deposited on Ti wires can achieve outstanding power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 6.32%, while FDSSCs on W wires have lower PCE of 3.24% due to the formation of WO3 layer, which might enhance recombination of charges. When the substrate is changed to a Nicole oxide wire, a novel p-n heterojunction can be obtained. This universal method is simple, facile, and low cost for preparing anatase TiO2 treelike-nanoarrays on various metal wires, which may find potential applications in fabrication of optoelectronic devices.