A high efficiency 3D photovoltaic microwire with carbon nanotubes (CNT)-quantum dot (QD) hybrid interface

Abstract

An innovative hybrid QD sensitized photovoltaic carbon nanotubes microyarn has been developed using thermally-stable and highly conductive carbon nanotubes yarns (CNYs). These CNYs are highly inter-aligned, ultrastrong and flexible with excellent electrical conductivity, mechanical integrity and catalytic properties. The CNYs are coated with a QD-incorporated TiO2 microfilm and intertwined with a second set of CNYs as a counter electrode (CE). The maximum photon to current conversion efficiency (ηAM1.5) achieved with prolonged-time stability was 5.93%. These cells are capable of efficiently harvesting incident photons regardless of direction and generating photocurrents with high efficiency and operational stability. An innovative hybrid photovoltaic carbon nanotubes microyarn has been developed. This CdSe/CdS/TiO2 3-D PV cell shows 5.93% photon-to-energy conversion efficiencies under standard AM 1.5 light intensity with high structural flexibility. This flexible PV wire could potentially be woven into engineering textiles or reinforced fabrics for smart application.

Publication Title

Physica Status Solidi - Rapid Research Letters

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