A new type of transparent and low cost counter-electrode based on platinum nanoparticles for dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract

Here we report on the fabrication of a new low-cost transparent cathode based on platinum nanoparticles prepared by a bottom-up synthetic approach. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images showed the platinum nanoparticles homogeneously distributed on a fluorine doped tin oxide conductive glass surface. We demonstrated that, with such a type of cathode, the solar energy conversion efficiency is the same as that obtained with a platinum sputtered counter-electrode, and is more than 50% greater than that obtained with a standard electrode, i.e. one prepared by chlorine platinum acid thermal decomposition, in similar working conditions. Using a special back-reflecting layer of silver, we improved upon the performance of a counter-electrode based on platinum sputtering, achieving an overall solar conversion efficiency of 4.75% at 100 mW cm À2 (AM 1.5) of simulated sunlight.

Rational screening low-cost counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells

“…Upon adsorption at the CH 3 CN/ Pt(111) interface, iodine molecule can readily dissociate into two I* atoms, which sit preferably on the top of Pt atoms at a distance of d(Pt-I) ¼ 2.62 Å, giving rise to an adsorption energy of 0.52 eV at the CH 3 CN/Pt(111) interface (see Supplementary Note 2). For the one-electron reduction of I* into solvated I À (sol), the transition state with an elongated d(Pt-I) ¼ 4.20 Å was located, yielding a barrier as low as 0.39 eV under U eq ¼ 0.61 V versus SHE 23 , in favour of the kinetic feasibility. The standard Gibbs free-energy change of the half reaction (I 2 (sol) þ 2e À -2I À (sol)) was also calculated, being exothermic by 0.40 eV (see Supplementary Note 3).…”

Alternative Resources for Renewable Energy: Piezoelectric and Photovoltaic Smart Structures

“…After the discovery of DSSCs in late 1960s and early 1970s, DSSCs have attracted many researchers' attention and a significant number of works have been carried out on suitable transparent electrodes [70][71], and electrolytes [72] but mostly on increasing the efficiency of DSSCs [73][74][75][76][77][78].…”

Fabrication and Evaluation of Low-cost Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 Counter Electrodes for Dye-sensitized Solar Cells

“…The best platinum counter electrode of a DSC is produced by a high-temperature hydrolysis process. However, the noble platinum remarkably increases the cost of the DSC [5][6][7]. Thus, many alternative cheap materials have been investigated as the counter electrodes for DSCs.…”