Low temperature synthesis of multiwalled carbon nanotubes and incorporation into an organic solar cell
Metal nanoparticle (MNP) catalysts used for the synthesis of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) consisted of single metals (Fe, Ni or Co) and bimetallic mixture (CoFe, NiFe or NiCo). MWCNTs were successfully synthesised at 200 °C in 10 min using liquefied petroleum gas as carbon source with non-e...
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doaj-8a146850059b42628207432b511ed4722020-11-25T02:17:55ZengTaylor & Francis GroupJournal of Experimental Nanoscience1745-80801745-80992017-01-0112136338310.1080/17458080.2017.13578421357842Low temperature synthesis of multiwalled carbon nanotubes and incorporation into an organic solar cellKudzai Mugadza0Vincent O. Nyamori1Genene T. Mola2Reuben H. Simoyi3Patrick G. Ndungu4School of Chemistry and Physics, University of KwaZulu-NatalSchool of Chemistry and Physics, University of KwaZulu-NatalSchool of Chemistry and Physics, University of KwaZulu-NatalSchool of Chemistry and Physics, University of KwaZulu-NatalUniversity of JohannesburgMetal nanoparticle (MNP) catalysts used for the synthesis of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) consisted of single metals (Fe, Ni or Co) and bimetallic mixture (CoFe, NiFe or NiCo). MWCNTs were successfully synthesised at 200 °C in 10 min using liquefied petroleum gas as carbon source with non-equilibrium plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD) method. The nanostructures and the morphology of the MNPs and the MWCNTs film were characterised using relevant microscopic and spectroscopic methods. The synthesised MWCNTs were used as part of the electrode material in organic solar cell (OSC) set-up. Poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT: PSS) was used as an electron transporter and poly-3-hexyl thiophene (P3HT) as an electron donor. The performance of OSC devices was tested using standard electrical measurements and solar simulator operating at 100 mW/cm2. The measured power conversion efficiencies was found to be dependent on the metal catalyst used during synthesis. Among all the catalysts employed in this investigation, the best device performance was found from the synthesis of MWCNTs using Fe as a catalyst followed by Co and then Ni, respectively.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17458080.2017.1357842Carbon nanotubeslow temperature synthesisnon-equilibrium plasmachemical vapour depositionorganic solar cells |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Kudzai Mugadza Vincent O. Nyamori Genene T. Mola Reuben H. Simoyi Patrick G. Ndungu |
spellingShingle |
Kudzai Mugadza Vincent O. Nyamori Genene T. Mola Reuben H. Simoyi Patrick G. Ndungu Low temperature synthesis of multiwalled carbon nanotubes and incorporation into an organic solar cell Journal of Experimental Nanoscience Carbon nanotubes low temperature synthesis non-equilibrium plasma chemical vapour deposition organic solar cells |
author_facet |
Kudzai Mugadza Vincent O. Nyamori Genene T. Mola Reuben H. Simoyi Patrick G. Ndungu |
author_sort |
Kudzai Mugadza |
title |
Low temperature synthesis of multiwalled carbon nanotubes and incorporation into an organic solar cell |
title_short |
Low temperature synthesis of multiwalled carbon nanotubes and incorporation into an organic solar cell |
title_full |
Low temperature synthesis of multiwalled carbon nanotubes and incorporation into an organic solar cell |
title_fullStr |
Low temperature synthesis of multiwalled carbon nanotubes and incorporation into an organic solar cell |
title_full_unstemmed |
Low temperature synthesis of multiwalled carbon nanotubes and incorporation into an organic solar cell |
title_sort |
low temperature synthesis of multiwalled carbon nanotubes and incorporation into an organic solar cell |
publisher |
Taylor & Francis Group |
series |
Journal of Experimental Nanoscience |
issn |
1745-8080 1745-8099 |
publishDate |
2017-01-01 |
description |
Metal nanoparticle (MNP) catalysts used for the synthesis of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) consisted of single metals (Fe, Ni or Co) and bimetallic mixture (CoFe, NiFe or NiCo). MWCNTs were successfully synthesised at 200 °C in 10 min using liquefied petroleum gas as carbon source with non-equilibrium plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD) method. The nanostructures and the morphology of the MNPs and the MWCNTs film were characterised using relevant microscopic and spectroscopic methods. The synthesised MWCNTs were used as part of the electrode material in organic solar cell (OSC) set-up. Poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT: PSS) was used as an electron transporter and poly-3-hexyl thiophene (P3HT) as an electron donor. The performance of OSC devices was tested using standard electrical measurements and solar simulator operating at 100 mW/cm2. The measured power conversion efficiencies was found to be dependent on the metal catalyst used during synthesis. Among all the catalysts employed in this investigation, the best device performance was found from the synthesis of MWCNTs using Fe as a catalyst followed by Co and then Ni, respectively. |
topic |
Carbon nanotubes low temperature synthesis non-equilibrium plasma chemical vapour deposition organic solar cells |
url |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17458080.2017.1357842 |
work_keys_str_mv |
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