A novel synthesis of CNTs/TiO2 nanocomposites with enhanced performance as photoanode of solar cell.

Abstract: TiO2 nanoparticles are widely used in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The combination of one-dimensional materials such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with TiO2 nanocrystals by mechanical mixing has been expected to improve the electron transport of anode. However, these methods cannot ensure the connection between one-dimensional materials and collector, which is the key for exerting the fast electron transport property. In this study, a novel synthesis method named gel chapping for CNTs/TiO2 nanocomposites preparation is presented, in which porous nanocrystalline TiO2 film with through-hole cracks is fabricated. By using the porous films with cracks as templates, CNTs are deposited in pores and well connected with the template and current collector which favors the transportation of electrons. The current–voltage curve test reveals that the conversion efficiency of CNTs/TiO2 nanocrystalline composite structures is 2.6 times superior to TiO2 nanocrystalline film. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]