Effect of MWCNT Inclusion in TiO2 Nanowire Array Film on the Photoelectrochemical Performance

Rutile TiO2 nanowire array films with multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) inclusion perpendicularly grown on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate were prepared by a facile hydrothermal method. The absorption edges of the TiO2 nanowire array films are blue-shifted with increasing MWCNT content. The resistance of the TiO2 nanowire array film is decreased by MWCNT inclusion. The optimum TiO2/MWCNT molar ratio in the feedstock is 1:0.1. For the TiO2 nanowire array film with MWCNT inclusion served as electrode in dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC), an overall 194% increase of photoelectric conversion efficiency has been achieved.