Copper(II) Hybrid Nanoflower-Supported Carbon Nanotubes on Copper Foil for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Here, modified flower-like hybrid nanomaterials (Nfs) on copper foil (CFS) were successfully fabricated and tested as counter electrodes (Pt-free) in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The copper foil was activated and modified with phosphate ions to form a flower-like hybrid nanomaterial on the copper foil surface [Cu(II)Nfs@CFS], and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were then immobilized on the structure [Cu(II)Nfs/MWCNTs@CFS] in order to strengthen the photovoltaic parameters. As expected, a significant difference in performance was observed between the materials. The power conversion efficiency (PCE), open-circuit voltage ( V oc ), short-circuit current ( J sc ), and fill factor (FF) recorded for the fabricated electrodes were 0.19%, 0.354 V, 2.386 mA/cm 2 , and 0.23 for Cu(II)Nfs@CFS, and 1.08%, 0.639 V, 3.909 mA/cm 2 , and 0.43 for Cu(II)Nfs/MWCNTs@CFS, respectively. It is notable that the PCE values increased by fivefold, and the immobilization process contributed to the improved V oc , J sc , and FF values. With different modifications of such materials, it will be possible to design DSSC devices with higher performance in the future. Graphical Abstract