Mesoporous carbon-imbedded W₂C composites as flexible counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract

Mesoporous carbon (MC)-imbedded tungsten carbide (W2C) composite is synthesized via a simple methodologyand subsequently used as flexible counter electrodes (CEs) in dye-sensitized solar cell (DSCs). The W2C/MC composite possesses remarkable electrochemical properties for both novel organic disulfide/thiolate and conventional triiodide/iodide redox couples, with a performance that surpasses those of W2C and MC separate components. Thus, the iodide electrolyte based-DSCs involving W2C/MC as flexible CE shows a power conversion efficiency(PCE) as high as 7.61%. Remarkably, the W2C/MC composite is also found to be suitable as a CE for organic sulfide redox coupleelectrolytebased-DSCs,showing a much higher PCE (5.96%) as compared totheirseparate W2C and MCcomponent counterparts (5.08 and 4.38%,respectively).

Porous Carbon Materials as Supreme Metal-Free Counter Electrode for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

“…The electrocatalytic properties of these systems are typically attributed to high charge polarization arising from the difference in electronegativity between carbon and heteroatom leading to enhanced charge transfer capability and thus increased catalytic activity. Also, to enhance the ordered graphitic layer and stability, porous carbon materials are mixed with polymer, transition metal, and other nanocarbon materials like graphene and CNTs [37][38][39][40][41].…”

Thermochromic Polymer Nanocomposites for the Heat Detection System: Recent Progress on Properties, Applications, and Challenges

“…As temperature shifts, this spiral's pitch alters, changing the light wavelength the material reflects and absorbs. This shift in light wavelength affects its intensity, resulting in colour changes [95]. Researchers can customise these materials by tweaking the spiral pitch response to temperature changes and tailoring colour behaviour to specific needs.…”

Efficient Flexible Counter Electrode Based on Modified Graphite Paper and in Situ Grown Copper Sulfide for Quantum Dot Sensitized Solar Cells

“…As a promising candidate for new generation photovoltaics, quantum dot sensitized solar cells (QDSCs) have attracted extensive attention with the initiative to solve the energy and environmental problems. − A typical QDSC comprises a glass photoanode with QD loaded TiO 2 mesoporous film, − a counter electrode (CE), − and liquid electrolyte. , Because of the design and adoption of a new kind of QD sensitizer (light absorption range extended to near-infrared window) and the interface engineering strategy to suppress charge recombination, the photovoltaic performance of QDSCs has been undergoing a rapid evolution with power conversion efficiency (PCE) increasing from less than 1% to 12.3%. − At present, the CEs have been less studied even though CEs might be the key to further increase PCE. − The CEs perform the function of withdrawing photoinduced electrons from external circuit and catalyzing them to reduce the oxidized electrolyte species. Meanwhile, superior properties of CEs, such as excellent electrical conductivity, high catalytic activity, and large specific surface area, are indispensable for optimizing device performance . In general, brass foil and fluorine-doped SnO 2 (FTO) glass supported copper sulfide (Cu x S) serve as CEs in high efficiency QDSC devices. , The brass foil based CEs (Cu 2 S/brass) exhibit excellent catalytic activity, good electrical conductivity, and sufficient mechanical flexibility, but they suffer from continuous corrosion by polysulfide electrolytes and thus bear the problem of device stability and encapsulation .…”

“…Meanwhile, superior properties of CEs, such as excellent electrical conductivity, high catalytic activity, and large specific surface area, are indispensable for optimizing device performance. 22 In general, brass foil and fluorine-doped SnO 2 (FTO) glass supported copper sulfide (Cu x S) serve as CEs in high efficiency QDSC devices. 2,10 The brass foil based CEs (Cu 2 S/brass) exhibit excellent catalytic activity, good electrical conductivity, and sufficient mechanical flexibility, but they suffer from continuous corrosion by polysulfide electrolytes and thus bear the problem of device stability and encapsulation.…”