Research Progress of the Counter Electrode in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract

This review covers recent research on counter electrodes using platinum (Pt), carbon and conducting polymers as catalysts for the reduction of triiodide in the dye-sensitized solar cell. Different types of counter electrode preparation methods and their advantages and disadvantages are compared. The inadequacy of the counter electrode with the precious metals and the advantages of the non-metallic-type counter electrode are pointed out. Especially, recent research on the Pt counter electrode in our group is discussed concerning with the reaction mechanism of the triiodide (I3-)/ iodide (I-) redox couple on the Pt counter electrode.

One-step electroless growth of nano-fibrous platinum catalyst from “paint-on” PtCl62- solution in poly-(ethylene-glycol)

“…Platinum is a widely used catalyst in particular in applications in electrochemical fuel cells [1], solar cells [2], and in water electrolysis systems [3]. The formation of nano-platinum catalysts is well-documented [4] and the tuning of platinum nano-crystal shape [5] and reactivity [6,7] are possible with control over nucleation and growth conditions.…”

Low-cost platinum-free counter electrode of La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 perovskite for efficient dye-sensitized solar cells

“…[2][3][4] DSSC is composed of a dye-sensitized photoanode, a counter electrode (CE), and an electrolyte. 5 As one of the most critical components of DSSC, traditionally, Pt is the preferred CE material which possesses excellent catalytic activity and high electrical conductivity. 6 However, it is not suitable for Pt to be applied on a large scale in DSSCs, for Pt is one of the highcost and scarce resources, and also can be easily corroded by the electrolyte.…”

A new type of low-cost counter electrode catalyst based on platinum nanoparticles loaded onto silicon carbide (Pt/SiC) for dye-sensitized solar cells

“…To solve this problem, one approach is to replace Pt with a low-cost and high efficiency non-Pt or Pt-like CE material, with similar catalytic activity. [4][5][6][7][8] However, the fact remains that there are few alternatives good enough to replace Pt materials in low-cost DSC systems.…”

“…The limitation of these methods is the poor control over the Pt particle size and agglomeration, which can be overcome by the use of a porous support material with high surface area.). 6,[26][27][28] Pt/SiC was then tested as a CE catalyst in a DSC system. The results show that the Pt/SiC possesses superior catalytic activity for I 3 À reduction, matching the catalytic activity of the dipped Pt CE.…”