Preparation of polypyrrole/multi-walled carbon nanotube hybrids by electropolymerization combined with a coating method for counter electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells

In this work, multi-wall carbon nanotubes coated with polypyrrole (PPy/MWCNT) have been used as counter electrode (CE) materials for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). PPy was deposited onto fluorine-doped tin-oxide-coated glass by electrochemical polymerization of pyrrole. Three surfactants were used in the preparation of the hybrids: cationic cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, anionic sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (DBSNa), and non-ionic polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate (Tween20). The morphologies of the PPy and PPy/MWCNT hybrids were investigated using scanning electron spectroscopy. Chemical composition of the prepared CEs was determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy. The catalytic activity of the PPy and PPy/MWCNT layers was evaluated using cyclic voltammetry, and the photovoltaic properties of DSSCs with PPy and PPy/MWCNT CEs were characterized using I–V measurements. PPy/MWCNT samples that were prepared by electrochemical polymerization showed the best results when the anionic surfactant DBSNa was used during polymerization. The photoelectric conversion efficiency of PPy/MWCNT prepared by electrochemical polymerization was 2.9%, which was 59% of that of Pt CE (4.9%).     

Ternary Ag/Polyaniline/Au nanocomposites: Preparation,characterization and electrochemical properties

Ternary Ag/Polyaniline/Au nanocomposites were synthesized successfully by immobilizing of Au nanoparticles (NPs) on the surface of Ag/Polyaniline (PANI) nanocomposites. Ag/PANI nanocomposites were prepared via in situ chemical polymerization of aniline in the presence of 4-aminothiophenol (4-ATP) capped silver colloidal NPs. Then, uniform gold (Au) NPs were assembled on the surface of resulted Ag/PANI nanocomposites through electrostatic interaction to get Ag/Polyaniline/Au nanocomposites. The nanocomposites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), ultraviolet visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Moreover, Ag/PANI/Au nanocomposites were immobilized on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode and showed enhanced electrocatalytic activity for the reduction of H₂O₂ compared with Ag/PANI.     

聚合溶液pH值对染料敏化太阳电池中聚吡咯对电极结构和性能的影响

电化学合成聚吡咯（PPy）时,聚合电解液的pH 值对PPy 薄膜的形貌和性质有较大的影响,进而影响PPy薄膜对I^-/I₃^-的电催化活性以及基于PPy对电极（CE）的染料敏化太阳电池（DSSCs）的光电转换性能. 本文采用电化学恒电位方法,在掺杂氟的SnO₂（FTO）导电玻璃上合成出了对甲苯磺酸根离子掺杂的聚吡咯（PPy-TsO）电极,并将其作为DSSCs 的对电极. 通过改变吡咯聚合时聚合电解液的pH值,借助扫描电镜（SEM）、紫外-可见（UV-Vis）吸收光谱、X-射线光电子能谱（XPS）和循环伏安（CV）等表征技术,详细探讨了聚合溶液pH值对PPy CE形貌、结构及其对I^-/I₃^-的电催化性能的影响. 研究发现在pH 2.0下合成的聚吡咯对阴离子掺杂率最高且链共轭性最佳,具有对I^-/I₃^-氧化还原介质最强的催化能力,基于此PPy CE的电池光电转化效率也最高.pH 值太大或太小都不利于生成具有高掺杂率和高催化活性的PPy电极,组装成DSSCs后的光电转换效率也较低.     

The conducting polymer electrolyte based on polypyrrole-polyvinyl alcohol and its application in low-cost quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells

The effect of polypyrrole (PPy) on the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-potassium iodide (KI)-iodine (I₂) polymer electrolytes has been investigated and optimized to use in a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). The different weight ratios of PVA: PPy (93: 2, 91: 4, 89: 6, 87: 8, and 85: 10 wt%) polymer electrolytes (PE) were prepared by solution casting. Structural, complex formation and surface roughness of the prepared electrolytes was confirmed by X-ray diffraction, FTIR, and atomic force microscopy (AFM) respectively. Conductivity plots of all polymer films showed increasing trend with temperature and concentration of PPy. The activation energy of the optimized system found to be 0.871 kJ mol^?1. UV-visible spectrum was adopted to characterize the absorption spectra of the material revealed that increase in the absorbance with increasing PPy content and shifting the absorbance maximum towards lower energy. The indirect band gap decreased from 3.78 to 2.14 eV and direct band gap decreased from 3.88 to 2.71 eV. The EIS analyses revealed the lower charge transfer resistance of 3.029 Ω cm² at the interface between CE and PE. The excellent performance was observed in the fabricated DSSCs using PVA (85%)/PPy (10%)/KI (5%)/I₂ polymer electrolyte with a short-circuit current density of 11.071 mA cm^?2, open-circuit voltage of 0.644 V, fill factor of 0.575, and photovoltaic conversion efficiency of 4.09% under the light intensity of 100 mW cm^?2. Hence, the PPy content in polymer electrolyte influences the remarkable performance of low-cost DSSC.     

Synthesis of ternary polypyrrole/Ag nanoparticle/graphene nanocomposites for symmetric supercapacitor devices

In this study, novel ternary synthesis of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) sheets via intercalation of Ag nanoparticles (Ag) and polypyrrole (PPy) was obtained for supercapacitor evaluations. The synthesis procedure of nanocomposite is simple, cheap, and ecologically friendly. The nanocomposites were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared-attenuated transmission reflectance (FTIR-ATR) and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersion X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX). In addition, electrochemical performances of electrode active materials (rGO/Ag/PPy) of the samples were tested by means of galvanostatic charge/discharge (GCD), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The highest specific capacitance and energy density of rGO/Ag/PPy nanocomposite were obtained as C_sp = 1085.22 F/g and E = 36.92 Wh/kg for [rGO]_o/[Py]_o = 1/5 at 4 mV/s in 1 M H₂SO₄ solution. Under the optimized preparation conditions in different initial feed ratios ([rGO]_o/[Py]_o = 1/1, ½, 1/5, and 1/10) of rGO/Ag/PPy, nanocomposites acquired a high Coulombic efficiency, and a retention of 66% of its initial capacitance for [rGO]_o/[Py]_o = 1/10 after 1000 cycles. GCD and EIS measurements of rGO/Ag/PPy nanocomposite electrode active material allowed for supercapacitor applications.     

简易合成Cu2SnSe3作染料敏化太阳能电池对电极

采用简易溶剂热法合成直径为150-250 nm的Cu2SnSe3纳米颗粒.以Cu2SnSe3"墨水"为前驱体采用滴落涂布法在掺氟二氧化锡基板上沉积Cu2SnSe3薄膜作为染料敏化太阳能电池(DSSC)对电极.利用场发射扫描电镜(FESEM)、透射电镜(TEM)、X射线衍射(XRD)、拉曼光谱(Raman)、能谱仪(EDS)等对Cu2SnSe3纳米颗粒的形貌、结构和组成进行表征.结果表明:产物纯净无杂项且符合化学计量比.以Cu2SnSe3为对电极的DSSC转化效率为7.75%,与铂对电极DSSC效率相当(7.21%).研究表明,DSSC的光电流密度和影响因子与Cu2SnSe3薄膜厚度密切相关,这是由于不同厚度的Cu2SnSe3薄膜作对电极所对应的催化位置数目和电阻值不同.电化学阻抗谱研究说明,Cu2SnSe3因具有类似铂良好的电催化性能而适合用作染料敏化太阳能电池对电极材料.本文以Cu2SnSe3代替贵金属铂,提供了一种廉价制备高效染料敏化太阳能电池对电极的新方法.     

Nanostructured ternary composites of PPy/CNT/NiFe2O4 and PPy/CNT/CoFe2O4: Delineating and improving microwave absorption

Two different ternary nanocomposites, PPy/CNT/CoFe₂O₄ and PPy/CNT/NiFe₂O₄, were synthesized by in situ polymerization method. The resulting composites were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. They were evaluated with the aim of investigating microwave absorption properties. The results showed that the value of microwave reflection decreases as that of prepared nanocomposites increases. This happens with increase in the PPy content and polymerization on the surface.     

Self-Assembled Graphene/MWCNT Bilayers as Platinum-Free Counter Electrode in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

We describe the preparation and properties of bilayers of graphene- and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as an alternative to conventionally used platinum-based counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC). The counter electrodes were prepared by a simple and easy-to-implement double self-assembly process. The preparation allows for controlling the surface roughness of electrode in a layer-by-layer deposition. Annealing under N₂ atmosphere improves the electrode's conductivity and the catalytic activity of graphene and MWCNTs to reduce the I₃⁻ species within the electrolyte of the DSSC. The performance of different counter-electrodes is compared for ZnO photoanode-based DSSCs. Bilayer electrodes show higher power conversion efficiencies than monolayer graphene electrodes or monolayer MWCNTs electrodes. The bilayer graphene (bottom)/MWCNTs (top) counter electrode-based DSSC exhibits a maximum power conversion efficiency of 4.1 % exceeding the efficiency of a reference DSSC with a thin film platinum counter electrode (efficiency of 3.4 %). In addition, the double self-assembled counter electrodes are mechanically stable, which enables their recycling for DSSCs fabrication without significant loss of the solar cell performance.     

Facile synthesis of multifunctional multiwalled carbon nanotubes/Fe3O4 nanoparticles/polyaniline composite nanotubes

With an average diameter of 100-150 nm, composite nanotubes of polyaniline (PANI)/multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) containing Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by a two-step method. First, we synthesized monodispersed Fe₃O₄ NPs (d=17.6 nm, σ=1.92 nm) on the surface of MWNTs and then decorated the nanocomposites with a PANI layer via a self-assembly method. SEM and TEM images indicated that the obtained samples had the morphologies of nanotubes. The molecular structure and composition of MWNTs/Fe₃O₄ NPs/PANI nanotubes were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectra. UV-vis spectra confirmed the existence of PANI and its response to acid and alkali. As a multifunctional material, the conductivity and magnetic properties of MWNTs/Fe₃O₄ NPs/PANI composites nanotubes were also investigated.     

Hierarchical nanocomposites of polyaniline scales coated on graphene oxide sheets for enhanced supercapacitors

The homogeneous polyaniline–graphene oxide (PANI-GO) nanocomposites were facilely assembled with a redox system in which cumene hydroperoxide (CHP) and iron dichloride (FeCl₂) acted as oxidant and reductant, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images showed that PANI scales coated uniformly on the surface of GO sheets owing to the synergistic effect between the PANI and GO. The obtained PANI-GO nanocomposites exhibited improved electrochemical performance as an electrode material for supercapacitors compared with the pure PANI. The specific capacitance of the PANI-GO nanocomposites was high up to 308.3 F g^?1, much higher than that of the pure PANI with specific capacitance of 150 F g^?1 at a current density of 1 A g^?1 in 2 M H₂SO₄ electrolyte. The Raman and XPS results illustrated that enhanced electrochemical performance might be attributed to the π-π conjugation between the PANI and GO sheets.     

Preparation and characterization of polypyrrole/magnetite nanocomposites synthesized by in situ chemical oxidative polymerization

This work describes the preparation and characterization of polypyrrole (PPy)/iron oxide nanocomposites fabricated from monodispersed iron oxide nanoparticles in the crystalline form of magnetite (Fe₃O₄) and PPy by in situ chemical oxidative polymerization. Two spherical nanoparticles of magnetite, such as 4 and 8 nm, served as cores were first dispersed in an aqueous solution with anionic surfactant sodium bis(2‐ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate to form micelle/magnetite spherical templates that avoid the aggregation of magnetite nanoparticles during the further preparation of nanocomposites. The PPy/magnetite nanocomposites were then synthesized on the surface of the spherical templates. Structural and morphological analysis showed that the fabricated PPy/magnetite nanocomposites are core (magnetite)‐shell (PPy) structures. Morphology of the PPy/magnetite nanocomposites containing monodispersed 4‐nm magnetite nanoparticles shows a remarkable change from spherical to tube‐like structures as the content of nanoparticles increases from 12 to 24 wt %. Conductivities of these PPy/magnetite nanocomposites show significant enhancements when compared with those of PPy without magnetite nanoparticles, in particular the conductivities of 36 wt % PPy/magnetite nanocomposites with 4‐nm magnetite nanoparticles are about six times in magnitude higher than those of PPy without magnetite nanocomposites. These results suggest that the tube‐like structures of 36 wt % PPy/magnetite nanocomposites may be served as conducting network to enhance the conductivity of nanocomposites. The magnetic properties of 24 and 36 wt % PPy/magnetitenanocomposites show ferromagnetic behavior and supermagnetism, respectively. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 1291–1300, 2008     

Graphene oxide sheet–polyaniline nanohybrids for enhanced photovoltaic performance of dye‐sensitized solar cells

In this study, photovoltaic (PV) properties of dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) incorporated with graphene oxide nanosheet‐polyaniline (GOS‐PANI) nanohybrid/poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) blend gel electrolytes were investigated. Chemical structure and composition of GOS‐PANI nanohybrids were characterized by Raman spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The images of transmission electron microscopy revealed that PANI nanorods were anchored to the single‐layered GOS for the GOS‐PANI nanohybrids. Ionic conductivities of the GOS‐PANI/PEO–based gel electrolytes were measured using a conductivity meter. The electrochemical catalytic activities of the GOS‐PANI nanohybrids were determined through cyclic voltammetry. These GOS‐PANI nanohybrids were served as the extended electron transfer materials and catalyst for the electrochemical reduction of I₃^?. Due to the enhancement of the ionic conductivity and electrochemical catalytic activity of the gel electrolyte, better PV performance was observed for the DSSCs based on the GOS‐PANI containing electrolytes as compared to the pristine PEO electrolyte‐based DSSC sample. Moreover, PV performances of the GOS‐PANI/PEO–based DSSCs were closely related to the PANI content of GOS‐PANI nanohybrids. The highest photo‐energy conversion efficiency (5.63%) was obtained for an optimized GOS‐PANI/PEO (5:95, w/w) blend gel electrolyte‐based DSSC sample. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2014 , 52, 321–332     

Polypyrrole/γ-Fe2O3 magnetic nanocomposites synthesized in supercritical fluid

Polypyrrole/iron oxide (PPy/γ-Fe₂O₃) nanocomposites were synthesized by in situ oxidative polymerization of pyrrole in the presence of surface modified γ-Fe₂O₃ in supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO₂). The structural properties of nanocomposite particles thus obtained were characterized by FT-IR, thermal analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It was found that ca. 50 nm γ-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles were well dispersed in PPy powder in TEM pictures. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis also support that all γ-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles are encapsulated by PPy. Magnetic property of the nanocomposites was measured by SQUID, which indicated that the nanocomposites are superparamagnetic. The effects of different loadings of γ-Fe2O3 on the polymerization were also investigated.     

Electrochemical and XPS study of LiFePO4 cathode nanocomposite with PPy/PEG conductive network

High performance PPy/PEG-LiFePO₄ nanocomposites as cathode materials were synthesized by solvothermal method and simple chemical oxidative polymerization of pyrrole (Py) monomer on the surface of LiFePO₄ particles. The samples were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS) and charge-discharge tests. PPyPEG hybrid layers decrease particle to particle contact resistance while the impedance measurements confirmed that the coating of PPy-PEG significantly decreases the charge transfer resistance of the electrode material. The initial discharge capacities of this sample at C/5 and 1C are 150 and 128 mAh/g, respectively. The results show that PPy/PEGLiFePO₄ composites are more effective than bare LiFePO₄ as cathode material.     

Fe/Cu修饰氮掺杂碳纳米管的构筑及催化性能

通过简单的原位化学合成法结合离子交换法制备了Cu修饰氮掺杂碳（Cu-N-C）和Fe/Cu修饰氮掺杂碳纳米管（Fe/Cu-N-C/CNT）,并系统评估了2种催化剂作为染料敏化太阳能电池（dye-sensitized solar cells,DSSCs）对电极在I₃^-/I^-体系中的电化学特性和光伏性能。采用X射线衍射（XRD）、拉曼（Raman）、X射线光电子能谱（XPS）和场发射扫描电镜（FESEM）对合成的催化剂进行组分和形貌表征。结果表明：纳米管状的Fe/Cu-N-C/CNT的石墨化程度比纳米颗粒状的Cu-N-C更高,更有利于I₃^-还原反应中电荷的传输。光伏性能测试结果表明：基于Fe/Cu-N-C/CNT对电极的DSSCs的光电能量转换效率（power conversion efficiency,PCE）达到7.55%,高于相同测试条件下Cu-N-C（6.99%）和Pt（6.76%）对电极的PCE。50圈连续循环伏安测试结果表明：Fe/Cu-N-C/CNT催化剂具有比Cu-N-C更好的电化学稳定性。     

Efficient Counter Electrode Manufactured from Ag2S Nanocrystal Ink for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

It is generally believed that silver or silver‐based compounds are not suitable counter electrode (CE) materials for dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) due to the corrosion of the I^?/I₃^? redox couple in electrolytes. However, Ag₂S has potential applications in DSSCs for catalyzing I₃^? reduction reactions because of its high carrier concentration and tiny solubility product constant. In the present work, CE manufactured from Ag₂S nanocrystals ink exhibited efficient electrocatalytic activity in the reduction of I₃^? to I^? in DSSCs. The DSSC consisting of Ag₂S CE displayed a higher power conversion efficiency of 8.40 % than that of Pt CE (8.11 %). Moreover, the devices also showed the characteristics of fast activity onset, high multiple start/stop capability and good irradiated stability. The simple composition, easy preparation, stable chemical property, and good catalytic performance make the developed Ag₂S CE as a promising alternative to Pt CE in DSSCs.     

表面In掺杂TiO2的N719/TiO2-Inx%/FTO薄膜电极的光电转换效率

采用溶胶-凝胶法制备出In 表面修饰的TiO₂ (TiO₂-Inx%)纳米粒子, x%代表在In 掺杂的TiO₂样品中In³⁺与In³⁺和Ti⁴⁺离子摩尔百分含量. 利用二(四丁基铵)顺式-双(异硫氰基)双(2,2''-联吡啶-4,4''-二羧酸)钌(II)(N719)作为敏化剂, 制备出N719/TiO₂/FTO (氟掺杂锡氧化物)和N719/TiO₂-Inx%/FTO染料敏化薄膜电极. 光电转换效率实验表明, 在薄膜电极+0.5 mol·L^-1 LiI+0.05 mol·L^-1 I₂的三甲氧基丙腈(MPN)溶液+Pt 光电池体系中,N719/TiO₂-Inx%/FTO薄膜电极的光电转换效率均高于N719/TiO₂/FTO, 其中N719/TiO₂-In0.1%/FTO的光电转换效率比N719/TiO₂/FTO提高了20%. 利用X 射线衍射(XRD)、X 射线光电子能谱(XPS)、漫反射吸收光谱(DRS)、荧光(PL)光谱和表面光电流作用谱确定了TiO₂-Inx%样品中In3+离子的存在方式和能带结构; 利用表面光电流作用谱研究了N719/TiO₂-Inx%/FTO薄膜电极的光致界面电荷转移过程. 结果表明, In3+离子在TiO₂表面形成O-In-Cl_n (n=1, 2)物种, 该物种的表面态能级位于导带下0.3 eV处; 在光电流产生过程中, O-In-Cl_n (n=1, 2)表面态能级有效地抑制了光生载流子在TiO₂-Inx%层的复合, 促进了阳极光电流的增加, 从而导致N719/TiO₂-Inx%/FTO薄膜电极的光电转化效率高于N719/TiO₂/FTO, 并进一步讨论了光致界面电荷转移的机理.     

Conducting and magnetic behaviors of monodispersed iron oxide/polypyrrole nanocomposites synthesized by in situ chemical oxidative polymerization

This study describes the preparation of nanocomposites fabricated from monodispersed iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) and polypyrrole (PPy) by in situ chemical oxidative polymerization. The monodispersed 4 nm Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles which served as cores were synthesized using the thermal decomposition of a mixture of Iron (III) acetylacetonate and oleic acid in the presence of high boiling point solvents. The resulting nanoparticles were further dispersed in an aqueous solution with anionic surfactant sodium bis(2‐ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate to form micelle/Fe₃O₄ spherical templates that avoid the aggregation of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles during the further preparation of the nanocomposites. The Fe₃O₄/PPy nanocomposites were then synthesized via in situ chemical oxidative polymerization on the surface of the spherical templates. Both field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) images indicate that the resulting Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles are close to spherical dots with a particle size of about 4 nm and a standard deviation of less than 5% (4 ± 0.2 nm). Structural and morphological analysis using FESEM and HRTEM showed that the fabricated Fe₃O₄/PPy nanocomposites are core (Fe₃O₄)‐shell (PPy) structures. Morphology of the nanocomposites shows a remarkable change from spherical to tube‐like structures as the content of monodispersed Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles increases from 9% up to 24 wt %. The conductivities of these Fe₃O₄/PPy nanocomposites are about six times higher than those of PPy without Fe₃O₄. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 4647–4655, 2007     

原位包覆导电聚吡咯的Li1.26Fe0.22Mn0.52O2富锂铁锰基正极材料的制备及电化学性能的提高

采用化学氧化聚合的方法成功合成了导电聚吡咯(PPy)包覆的纳米尺寸Li_1.26Fe_0.22Mn_0.52O₂(LFMO)正极材料。通过X射线衍射(XRD)检测样品的晶体结构,并通过扫描电子显微镜(SEM)和透射电子显微镜(TEM)观察材料形态和微观结构。元素映射和傅里叶变换红外光谱结果表明,PPy导电网络存在于复合材料中,并且PPy均匀分布在LFMO颗粒上。通过恒流充放电测试和电化学阻抗谱(EIS)分析研究了所有样品的电化学性能,结果表明表面上的PPy显著降低了LFMO的电荷转移电阻。包覆PPy质量分数为2%的LFMO-2%PPy表现出极好的倍率性能和良好的循环稳定性,其在1C倍率下首次放电容量为206 mAh·g^-1,首圈库仑效率为87%,在1C和2C分别循环50圈后,其容量分别稳定在131和139 mAh·g^-1。     

Enhancement of photovoltaic performance of polyaniline/graphene composite-based dye-sensitized solar cells by adding TiO2 nanoparticles

Polyaniline (PANi)-graphene composites and polyaniline-graphene/TiO₂ composites were prepared by ex-situ approach. Systematic investigation was carried out to explore photovoltaic (PV) properties of PANi-graphene and PANi-graphene/TiO₂ composite. The prepared composites were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Raman Spectroscopy and Ultraviolet–Visible (UV–Vis) Spectroscopy. The PV properties of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) prepared composites investigated by assembling materials in ITO/PANi-graphene/Al and ITO/PANi-graphene/TiO₂/Al architecture. Different PV parameters such as short circuit current, open circuit voltage, fill factor and power conversion efficiency were determined from the (Current-Voltage) IV characteristics of PV cell. The 15 wt% PANi loaded graphene composite based PV cell shows optimized power conversion efficiency of the order 6.47%. The main accomplishment of present work is that efficiency associated with 15 wt% PANi loaded graphene composite, improved further by addition of TiO₂ nanoparticles. The composite system between PANi-graphene/TiO₂ for 1 wt% of TiO₂ nanoparticles shows optimized power conversion efficiency of the order 8.63%.