Flexible, freestanding, and functional electro spun nanomaterials for dye-sensitized solar cell and photocatalytic dye degradation

<p>Zhengtao Zhu</p>

Flexible, freestanding, and functional electro spun nanomaterials for dye-sensitized solar cell and photocatalytic dye degradation

Zhengtao Zhu

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, USA

: J Nanomater Mol Nanotechnol

Abstract

Metal oxide nanomaterials have attracted growing interests for applications in energy conversion and storage applications (e.g., photovoltaics, water splitting, photocatalysis, hydrogen storage, and Li-ion batteries) due to their optical/electrochemical properties, chemical/environmental stability, and cost-effectiveness. In this talk, I will present our studies on the SiO2 nanofibrous nonwoven mat prepared by electrospinning as a porous and high-temperature durable substrate for preparation of the freestanding, flexible, and multifunctional composites and their applications in the dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) and photocatalytic dye degradation. The neat SiO2 nanofibrous nonwoven mat (denoted as SiO2-NF) and the SiO2 mat functionalized with gold nanoparticles (denoted as Au@SiO2-NF) were readily prepared by electrospinning of spin dope containing precursors. Subsequently, a patterned layer of TiO2 nanoparticles was impregnated and transferred into the SiO2 or Au@SiO2-NF nonwoven mats. The freestanding composite mats of TiO2 nanoparticles and electro spun SiO2 NF or Au@SiO2-NF (denoted as TiO2-NP/SiO2-NF or TiO2-NP/Au@SiO2-NF, respectively) were demonstrated for DSSC and photocatalytic dye degradation. By controlling the amount of TiO2, composite mats with only partially filled TiO2 nanoparticles on one side were used as photoanode and spacer in DSSCs; the device had an efficiency of 5.31%. Incorporation of Au nanoparticles in the photoanode (TiO2-NP/Au@SiO2-NF) improved the device performance. The thermally durable and freestanding TiO2-NP/SiO2-NF or TiO2-NP/Au@SiO2-NF were also used as readily recyclable and regeneratable materials for effective photo-degradation of the methylene blue in aqueous solution.