Abstract:
A CNT/TiO
2-x N
x composite was synthesized by an integrated hydrothermal and NH
3 annealing method. The as-synthesized composite was characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM and XPS, and its catalytic activity as a counter electrode for a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) was investigated by cyclic voltammetry, Tafel-polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and I-V techniques. Results show that nitrogen was successfully doped into the TiO
2 crystal lattice. CNTs with a diameter of 30-50 nm interconnect with the TiO
2-x N
x nanowires with a diameter of 3-8 nm, leading to a network structure. Benefiting from the high electrocatalytic activity of TiO
2-x N
x and the high conductivity of CNTs, the composite demonstrates a higher power conversion efficiency (7.16%) than pure CNTs (4.67%) as the counter electrode of the DSSC, and this value is comparable to that of a noble Pt electrode.