Photoanodes Based on Carbon Nanotubes Deposited by Drop Casting and Filtration Methods: Photoelectrochemical Characterization

摘要

Transparent titania (TiO_2) photoanodes based on single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) deposited by drop casting and filtration were characterized in various electrolytes. Improved photoelectrochemical performance, up to a factor of three, was observed in the two types of transparent photoelectrodes relative to those without SWCNTs. For both SWCNT deposition methods, the best photoanode performance corresponds to those based on SWCNT films with 60% optical transmittance. Overall, the quality of SWCNT films obtained by filtration is superior to those obtained by drop casting, and the vertical alignment caused by the transfer method enhances the contact area between nanotubes and titania. This, however, causes a large sensitivity to TiO_2/SWCNTs ratio and the electrolyte used in the characterization.