Structural and Physical Properties of TiO2/CNT Nanocomposite Thin Films Synthesized by Sol-Gel Dip Coating Method for Using in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell

TiO2/MWCNT nanocomposite thin films containing different percentages of multi-walled carbon nanotubes were coated on fluorinated tin oxide substrates by sol-gel dip coating method. Results of X-ray diffraction analysis indicated that the crystal structure of the coatings was anatase TiO2. It was also understood that the size of crystallites reduced with CNT but structural properties and equilibrium phase remain intact. Field emission scanning electron microscope images showed that CNTs dispersed uniformly among 45 nm spherical TiO2 particles of close relations. These images also showed that CNT promoted cracks on the coated surface. Results of the UV-Vis spectroscopy showed that the visible light range adsorption increased with CNT and the absorption edge did not significantly differ with the pure TiO2 layers.. Results of the photoluminescence spectroscopy revealed that the presence of CNT could reduce the pair electron–electron holes recombination which is considered totally undesirable.