Development of New Photovoltaic Devices Based on Multi Wall Carbon Nanotubes and Nanoparticles.

摘要

We have demonstrated that multiwall carbon nanotube (CNT) films decorated with noble metal nanoparticles can be used to generate photoelectric current from visible and near ultraviolet light. It is also interesting to note that some insights into the photo-generation mechanism can be inferred comparing the experimental results to the theoretical density functional theory simulations. A mechanism of photo charge generation is described in which the presence of the noble metal particles on the tubes deeply modifies the electronic properties of the CNT hybrid and makes available additional charges that are involved in the photo generation process. The main consequence is that a remarkable increase in the photocurrent response is registered in all the photon spectral range studied. The new kind of Graetzel-like solar cell device was built without dye and TiO2, showing an IPCE up to 20%.