Preparation and Characterization of Nanocrystalline Pt/TCG Counterelectrodes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

2008 ◽  
Vol 130 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Antigoni V. Katsanaki ◽  
Dimitris S. Tsoukleris ◽  
Polycarpos Falaras ◽  
Haido S. Karayianni ◽  
Marie-Claude Bernard
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solid State ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽  
Surface Characteristics ◽  
Counter Electrodes ◽  
Dye Sensitized ◽  
Conductive Glass ◽  
Pt Films ◽  
Sensitized Solar Cells

Transparent counter electrodes were prepared on transparent conductive glass (TCG) substrates from a hexachloroplatinic acid (H2PtCl6) solution applying the thermal decomposition method in combination with the spin-coating deposition technique. The effect of the precursor concentration and the number of deposited platinum layers on the surface characteristics of the Pt films was examined, and the relation between those surface characteristics and the electrochemical properties of the corresponding modified Pt/TCG electrodes was defined. Four types of counterelectrodes were prepared, differing in the concentration of the H2PtCl6 solution (0.03M and 0.15M) and in the number of Pt layers (one or two Pt layers); their performance as counterelectrodes was evaluated after their incorporation into dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) employing a solid state redox electrolyte. The obtained results show that solar cells using counterelectrodes prepared from the 0.03MH2PtCl6 solution and consisting of two Pt layers (Pt032 electrode) exhibited the best performance characteristics (diffusion coefficient D*I3−=1.58×10−5cm2s−1, conversion efficiency η=2.16%, fill factor ff=62.14%, and short circuit photocurrent Isc=4.71mAcm−2). The electrochemical behavior of the modified counterelectrodes is consistent with the surface characteristics of the Pt film that formed on the conductive glass substrate, which seems to be significantly affected by the adopted method and the adjusted experimental parameters (Pt concentration and number of Pt layers). Specifically, this type of electrodes beside their low roughness (Rq=11.5nm), also presents a high complexity (Df=2.3). As a result, for this kind of solid state DSSCs, the less rough but the more complex the Pt/TCG electrode surface, the higher the efficiency of the corresponding solar cells.

scholarly journals Molecular Weight Effects of Biscarbazole-Based Hole Transport Polymers on the Performance of Solid-State Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Nanomaterials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 2516
Author(s):  
Minseon Kong ◽  
Kyeong Seok Kim ◽  
Nguyen Van Nga ◽  
Yeonju Lee ◽  
Yu Seong Jeon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solid State ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Hole Transport ◽  
Dye Sensitized ◽  
Liquid Electrolytes ◽  
Sensitized Solar Cells

The leakage and volatilization of liquid electrolytes limit the commercialization of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). As solid-state (ss) hole-transporting materials, free from leakage and volatilization, biscarbazole-based polymers with different molecular weights (PBCzA-H (21,200 g/mol) and PBCzA-L (2450 g/mol)) were applied in combination with additives to produce ssDSCs. An ssDSC with PBCzA-H showed a better short-circuit current (Jsc), open-circuit voltage (Voc), and fill factor (FF) than a device with PBCzA-L, resulting in 38% higher conversion efficiency. Compared to the PBCzA-L, the PBCzA-H with a higher molecular weight showed faster hole mobility and larger conductivity, leading to elevations in Jsc via rapid hole transport, Voc via rapid hole extraction, and FF via lowered series and elevated shunt resistances. Thus, it is believed that PBCzA-H is a useful candidate for replacing liquid electrolytes.

PtSn/GO Co-Catalyst for Quasi-Solid-State Dye Sensitized Solar Cells

2018 ◽  
Vol 283 ◽  
pp. 55-64
Author(s):  
Voranuch Somsongkul ◽  
Surassawatee Jamikorn ◽  
Chanu Photiphitak ◽  
Thapanee Sarakonsri ◽  
Viratchara Laokawee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Graphene Oxide ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solid State ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽  
Pt Catalyst ◽  
Counter Electrodes ◽  
Electron Hole ◽  
Co Catalyst ◽  
Dye Sensitized ◽  
Sensitized Solar Cells

Dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) consist of photoanodes (dye adsorbed porous semiconductor film), electrolytes and counter electrodes. Nanostructured materials play important parts in both the photoanodes and the counter electrodes, while dyes are there to absorb photons and generate electron-hole pairs and electrolytes are there to transfer electrons from the photoanodes to the counter electrodes. In this study, to enhance light absorption and minimize electron-hole recombination, Ag nanoparticles and MgO nanolayer were coated on TiO2, respectively. To enable a long lifetime, i.e. avoiding liquid electrolyte leakage, quasi-solid-state (QSS) DSSCs were fabricated. PtSn nanoparticles were prepared by a simple chemical reduction method on graphene oxide (GO) to compare with conventional Pt catalyst on FTO substrates as counter electrodes. An average efficiency of the QSS DSSCs with PtSn/GO co-catalysts was found to outperform that of the QSS DSSCs with conventional Pt catalyst. A mixed microstructure of the PtSn/GO co-catalyst was observed. Although, PtSn2 and Pt2Sn3 phases were suggested by XRD, in a small region observed by EDX-STEM, it was found that C, O and Si were distributed uniformly on the graphene oxide film. Pt was also distributed uniformly, but the signal was low so there were only a few X-Ray counts across the image. There was no sign of Pt being concentrated in the particles. However, Sn was found to be concentrated in the particles without any other elements.

Quasi-solid-state Dye-sensitized Solar Cells Employing Fibers Stacked Paper Carbons as Efficient Counter Electrodes

2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 29 ◽  
Author(s):  
XU Shun-Jian ◽  
LUO Yu-Feng ◽  
ZHONG Wei ◽  
XIAO Zong-Hu ◽  
LOU Yong-Ping ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solid State ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽  
Counter Electrodes ◽  
Dye Sensitized ◽  
Sensitized Solar Cells

Preparation and Photovoltaic Properties of Flexible Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

2011 ◽  
Vol 306-307 ◽  
pp. 112-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
You Zeng ◽  
Li Jia Zhao ◽  
Ying Zhen ◽  
Fang Xiao Shi ◽  
Yu Tong
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Treatment Temperature ◽  
Photovoltaic Properties ◽  
Dye Sensitized ◽  
Conductive Glass ◽  
Sensitized Solar Cells

Flexible dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) were prepared by using carbon nanotube transparent conductive films (CNT-TCFs) as flexible substrates, and their photovoltaic properties were investigated as well. The flexible DSCs show typical photovoltaic characteristics with short-circuit current of 0.78 μA and open-circuit voltage of 1.48 mV, which was strongly influenced by heat-treatment temperature, type of dyes, and electrical resistivity. In light of their lighter weight and higher flexibility than conventional DSCs based on conductive glass substrates, the flexible DSCs have great potential as functional photoelectric components in many fields.

scholarly journals Cobalt and Carbon Complex as Counter Electrodes in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Photonics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 166
Author(s):  
Chi-Feng Lin ◽  
Ting-Hsuan Hsieh ◽  
Yu-Chen Chou ◽  
Pin-Hung Chen ◽  
Ci-Wun Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Conductivity ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Counter Electrodes ◽  
Dye Sensitized ◽  
Thermal Sintering ◽  
Sensitized Solar Cells

We developed cobalt and carbon complex materials as counter electrodes (CEs) for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) to replace conventional platinum (Pt) CEs. Co12 and Co15, both of which are basic cobalt derivatives, showed good redox potential with a suitable open-circuit voltage (VOC); however, their poor electrical conductivity engendered a low short-circuit current (JSC) and fill factor (FF). Mixing them with carbon black (CB) improved the electrical conductivity of the CE; in particular, JSC and FF were considerably improved. Further improvement was achieved by combining cobalt derivatives and CB through thermal sintering to produce a novel CoCB material as a CE. CoCB had good electrical conductivity and electrocatalytic capability, and this further enhanced both JSC and VOC. The optimized device exhibited a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 7.44%, which was higher than the value of 7.16% for a device with a conventional Pt CE. The conductivity of CoCB could be further increased by mixing it with PEDOT:PSS, a conducting polymer. The device’s JSC increased to 18.65 mA/cm2, which was considerably higher than the value of 14.24 mA/cm2 for the device with Pt CEs. The results demonstrate the potential of the cobalt and carbon complex as a CE for DSSCs.

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