Issue 19, 2018

Improving charge injection and charge transport in CuO-based p-type DSSCs – a quick and simple precipitation method for small CuO nanoparticles

Abstract

Herein, we introduce a co-precipitation synthesis of CuO, which produces small and uniform nanoparticles (∼12 nm) with a specific surface area of 97.3 m2 g−1. The resulting CuO nanoparticles are superior to the commercial ones, which have previously been used to prepare p-type DSSCs. In turn, we compared p-type DSSCs consisting of CuO-based photocathodes based on newly synthesized and commercial nanoparticles. Devices based on new CuO nanoparticles enable higher dye loadings, and, in turn, superior short-circuit current densities and efficiencies. To corroborate our findings, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and intensity modulated photocurrent spectroscopy assays were conducted, revealing a better charge injection and faster charge transport for those photocathodes featuring the new CuO nanoparticles.

Graphical abstract: Improving charge injection and charge transport in CuO-based p-type DSSCs – a quick and simple precipitation method for small CuO nanoparticles

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
12 Feb 2018
Accepted
22 Apr 2018
First published
23 Apr 2018

J. Mater. Chem. C, 2018,6, 5176-5180

Improving charge injection and charge transport in CuO-based p-type DSSCs – a quick and simple precipitation method for small CuO nanoparticles

O. Langmar, C. R. Ganivet, P. Schol, T. Scharl, G. de la Torre, T. Torres, R. D. Costa and D. M. Guldi, J. Mater. Chem. C, 2018, 6, 5176 DOI: 10.1039/C8TC00769A

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