Synthesis and characterization of CuO nanofibers, and investigation for its suitability as blocking layer in ZnO NPs based dye sensitized solar cell and as photocatalyst in organic dye degradation

► CuO nanofibers were successfully synthesized by using electrospinning technique. ► The effect of the dwelling time of the annealing cycle for the formation of the crystallite CuO nanofibers was analyzed. ► A 25% increase in the current density was observed with the application of CuO as blocking layer.