Towards Long-Term Thermal Stability of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Using Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

In this study, the effect of incorporating multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the thermal stability of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) was investigated. Under identical measurement conditions (aging at 80 degrees C for 240 h), DSSCs based on a bare TiO2 anode presented a significant loss in photoconversion efficiency (PCE), dropping to 59 % of their initial value, whereas the DSSCs based on a TiO2-MWCNT nanocomposite anode attained a promising thermal stability with only 20 % loss of PCE. This degradation of cell performance is mainly associated with a dramatic reduction in the short-circuit current density (J(sc)). To understand the mechanisms that underpin these changes in device performance under thermal stress, both types of cells were investigated using various techniques. The incorporation of MWCNTs could eliminate the formation of cracks and improve electron charge transfer. The results of this study indicate a promising new method to enhance the thermal stability of DSSCs using a nanocomposite anode made of one-dimensional carbon materials.