Investigation of graphene nanosheets as counter electrodes for efficient dye-sensitized solar cells

Tsai, Chih‐Hung; Chen, Chih-Han; Hsiao, Yu-Chen; Chuang, Ping-Yuan

doi:10.1016/j.orgel.2014.11.016

Cited by 25 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 35 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The requirements for the CE in a DSSC are thus low charge-transfer resistance and high exchange current densities for effective reduction of the oxidized species, and good chemical/electrochemical stability in the electrolyte systems used in DSSCs [ 15 ]. Although Pt has traditionally been used as a CE material [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ], its high cost increases the DSSC fabrication cost considerably. Hence, identifying a highly efficient replacement for Pt in CEs is a crucial research topic.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation of Coral-Like Cu2O Nano/Microstructures as Counter Electrodes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

2015

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In this study, a chemical oxidation method was employed to fabricate coral-like Cu2O nano/microstructures on Cu foils as counter electrodes (CEs) for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The Cu2O nano/microstructures were prepared at various sintering temperatures (400, 500, 600 and 700 °C) to investigate the influences of the sintering temperature on the DSSC characteristics. First, the Cu foil substrates were immersed in an aqueous solution containing (NH4)2S2O8 and NaOH. After reacting at 25 °C for 30 min, the Cu substrates were converted to Cu(OH)2 nanostructures. Subsequently, the nanostructures were subjected to nitrogen sintering, leading to Cu(OH)2 being dehydrated into CuO, which was then deoxidized to form coral-like Cu2O nano/microstructures. The material properties of the Cu2O CEs were comprehensively determined using a scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer, X-ray diffractometer, Raman spectrometer, X-ray photoelectron spectroscope, and cyclic voltameter. The Cu2O CEs sintered at various temperatures were used in DSSC devices and analyzed according to the current density–voltage characteristics, incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency, and electrochemical impedance characteristics. The Cu2O CEs sintered at 600 °C exhibited the optimal electrode properties and DSSC performance, yielding a power conversion efficiency of 3.62%. The Cu2O CEs fabricated on Cu foil were generally mechanically flexible and could therefore be applied to flexible DSSCs.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation of Coral-Like Cu2O Nano/Microstructures as Counter Electrodes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

2015

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Graphene consists of a single atomic layer composed of sp 2 -hybridized carbon. Due to its unique electronic configuration, graphene has high conductivity and transparency which is ideal for use as electrodes or interlayers in photovoltaic devices [12]. Excellent electrical conductivity by graphene stems from its high charge carrier mobilities averaging 200,000 cm 2 ∙V −1 ∙s −1 compared to 980 cm 2 ∙V −1 ∙s −1 for MoS 2 [12].…”

Section: Counter Electrodementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Due to its unique electronic configuration, graphene has high conductivity and transparency which is ideal for use as electrodes or interlayers in photovoltaic devices [12]. Excellent electrical conductivity by graphene stems from its high charge carrier mobilities averaging 200,000 cm 2 ∙V −1 ∙s −1 compared to 980 cm 2 ∙V −1 ∙s −1 for MoS 2 [12]. The excellent conductivity by graphene is helpful for metallic sulphides which exhibit sufficient catalytic capability with relatively poor electrical conductivity as indicated by the high charge transfer values.…”

Section: Counter Electrodementioning

confidence: 99%

“…As such, this review outlines the progress attained up to date in the development of a suitable CE for the DSSC. Catalysts such as transition metal alloys [8,9], sulphides [10] and carbon-based materials [11,12] have already been tried and tested as potential replacements for platinum in dye-sensitized solar cell counter electrodes yielding various results. Despite most non-metallic counter electrode materials being cheaper than platinum, their catalytic activity is significantly lower which results in poor photovoltaic parameters, although it would reduce the cost of production for the DSSC.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Metal Sulphides and Their Carbon Supported Composites as Platinum-Free Counter Electrodes in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells: A Review

et al. 2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Energy sufficiency is a critical requirement for the economic prosperity of modern countries. Efficient harnessing of solar energy using technologies such as the dye-sensitized solar cell could solve the energy problem which persistently plagues developing countries. Despite having a simple operational procedure and modest power conversion efficiency of 13.8%, the dye-sensitized solar cell consists of an expensive platinum counter electrode which makes commercial success futile. Thus, this review intends to establish the progress researchers have attained in the development of sulphide based counter electrodes as alternatives to platinum, thereby lowering cost of production. Metallic sulphides are good electrocatalysts and cheap, hence, they possess the necessary requirements for effective functional counter electrodes. Furthermore, ternary metallic sulphides are known to exhibit higher efficiencies stemming from the synergistic effect produced by the co-existence of two metal ions in a crystal structure, which is believed to induce greater catalytic capability. Incorporation of metallic sulphides with carbon materials, which are exceptional electrical conductors, could potentially produce more efficient counter electrodes. In that regard, this review seeks to establish the effect recently developed composite counter electrodes comprising metallic sulphides and carbon-based materials have induced on the functionality of the counter electrode (CE).

show abstract

“…DSSCs are typically composed of porous nanostructured oxide film on a TCO glass with adsorbed dye molecules as a anode, an electrolyte containing iodide/triiodide redox couple or a suitable hole conductor, and a platinized fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass as the counter electrode [1][2][3][4][5] in DSSCs [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]. The advantages of using appropriate forms of carbon for counter electrodes in DSSCs are their lower cost and higher chemical inertness [14][15][16][17][18][19][20]. In early work on carbon, using functionalized graphite and high surface area carbon black, power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 6.67% was obtained by Kay and Gratzel [21].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A simple route to making counter electrode for dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) using sucrose as carbon precursor

Kumar

Mohanty

et al. 2015

Journal of Colloid and Interface Science

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Investigation of graphene nanosheets as counter electrodes for efficient dye-sensitized solar cells

Cited by 25 publications

References 35 publications

Investigation of Coral-Like Cu2O Nano/Microstructures as Counter Electrodes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Investigation of Coral-Like Cu2O Nano/Microstructures as Counter Electrodes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Metal Sulphides and Their Carbon Supported Composites as Platinum-Free Counter Electrodes in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells: A Review

A simple route to making counter electrode for dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) using sucrose as carbon precursor

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About