Single walled carbon nanotube network electrodes for dye solar cells

The photovoltaic properties of a new working electrode for dye sensitised solar cells, consisting of networks of covalently bound single walled carbon nanotubes on indium tin oxide, have been investigated. Following covalent sensitisation of the carbon nanotube networks with a ruthenium dye an appreciable cathodic photocurrent is measured upon illumination with simulated sunlight. Significant increases in photocurrent density are observed by building up sequential layers of carbon nanotube cross-linked with ethylenediamine to form a three-dimensional dye sensitised single walled carbon nanotube network. Such electrodes are promising for the future fabrication of low cost, minimal material use solar cells. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.