Hierarchical CNT/PANI–CuGaO2 Photoelectrodes for Mechanically Flexible Fiber-Shaped Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Author

• Abdullah Mohammad Sarjish, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Date of Award

7-1-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Engineering (MSE)

Department

Mechanical Engineering

First Advisor

Victoria Padilla

Second Advisor

M. Jasim Uddin

Third Advisor

Ahmed Hasnain Jalal

Abstract

Flexible fiber-shaped dye-sensitized solar cells (FDSSCs) offer significant promises for wearable energy harvesting systems due to their lightweight architecture and flexible adaptability. In this research, CNT fiber is coated with PANI to make the electrode ready for making it more conductive and incorporating with CuGaO2 nanocrystals by hydrothermal growth at 160–200 °C for 56hr. SEM images revealed hexagonal-platelet structure of the CuGaO2 with structural analyses confirm well crystallized CuGaO2 nanostructures with particle sizes of ~4–6 nm. Photovoltaic measurements reveal that increasing device length from 3.0 cm to 5.0 cm that improves current density from ~10–12 mA cm⁻² to ~14 mA cm⁻². Temperature optimized CuGaO2 electrodes (190–200 °C) yield the highest photocurrents (~12.5–13 mA cm⁻²) while cells with CuGaO2 grown at 160 °C show lower performance (~7–8 mAcm⁻²). Mechanical reliability tests demonstrate stable function under repeated deformation with Jsc gradually decreasing after 20, 40, 60, and 80 bends. Corresponding EIS spectra shows an increase in charge-transfer resistance from ~40 Ω (0 bends) to ~85 Ω (80 bends) that indicating progressive interfacial strain. Furthermore, the DSSC cell is connected parallelly to produce high output currents of ~38–40 mA cm⁻² whereas series-connected cells achieve voltages up to ~1.8 V. These results demonstrate that controlled CuGaO2 nanostructure engineering enables mechanically robust, high-performing FDSSCs suitable for textile-integrated power platforms. Because of their lightweight design and mechanical flexibility, flexible fiber-shaped dye-sensitized solar cells (FDSSCs) hold great potential for wearable energy harvesting systems.

Overall, the synergistic CNT/PANI/CuGaO2 cell design enables efficient photon absorption with improved carrier transport and remarkable mechanical resilience. This study demonstrates a viable route toward high-performance FDSSCs through solution-processed nanostructure engineering that offers strong potential for future woven, wearable, and portable energy harvesting systems.

Comments

Copyright 2026 Abdullah Mohammad Sarjish. All Right Reserved. https://proquest.com/docview/3408996742

Recommended Citation

Sarjish, A. (2026). Hierarchical CNT/PANI–CuGaO2 Photoelectrodes for Mechanically Flexible Fiber-Shaped Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells [Master's thesis, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley]. ScholarWorks @ UTRGV. https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/etd/2002