Enhanced Performance of Organic/Inorganic Hybrid Nanomaterials bearing Impregnated [PdL₂] Complexes as Counter‐Electrode Catalyst for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract

N‐coordinate Pd2+ complexes [PdL2] (L: N‐N‐quinoline‐8‐yl‐R‐benzenesulfonamides) (6–10) and [PdL2] complexes assembled on multi‐wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) hybrid nanomaterials were fabricated and characterized by various techniques. The [PdL2] impregnated MWCNTs materials (11–15) were applied as a counter electrode (CE) catalyst for triiodide to iodide reduction reaction in the dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSC) and investigated electro‐catalytic activities. The MWCNTs‐supported [PdL2] CEs (11–15) are exhibits as Pt‐free CE with good power conversion efficiencies (PCEs), and compared to platinum and bare MWCNTs CEs and the PCE of bare MWCNTs was clearly improved by means of [PdL2] complexes (6–10). The DSSCs based on the hybrid counter electrodes (CEs) (11–15) and bare MWCNTs are indicated a relative efficiency (ƞrel) of 64.27%, 54.07%, 53.75%, 51.52% 44.82% and 27.27% concerning a Pt CE control device set at 100%. The report emphasizes that [PdL2] impregnated MWCNTs type counter electrodes (CEs) (11–15) are promising as effectively catalyst in working device design, particularly taking into account the eco‐friendly approach of the hybrids.

Efficiency enhancement with chloride to iodide ion exchange of benzimidazolium salt as a redox mediator

“…Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), which consist of photoanode, photoactive paint, electrolyte and counter electrode main materials, are called a new generation and attract attention with their low cost and easy production ability [1][2][3][4]. However, the most important problem of DSSC devices is seen as stable high performance and many researches are being carried out to overcome this negative situation [5][6][7][8].…”