Enhanced Efficiency of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Based on Polymer-Assisted Dispersion of Platinum Nanoparticles/Carbon Nanotubes Nanohybrid Films as FTO-Free Counter Electrodes

Abstract

In this study, polymer-assisted dispersants are used to stabilize the nanohybrids of platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs)/carbon nanotubes (CNTs) through non-covalent bond forces. These dispersants aim to replace the florine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass in traditional dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) as counter electrodes. The large specific surface area, high conductivity, and redox potential of PtNPs/CNT nanohybrids are used as the basis to utilize them as the counter electrode material to fabricate a dye-sensitized solar cell. The conductivity results indicate that the resistance of the PtNP/CNT nanohybrid film can be reduced to 7.25 Ω/sq. When carbon nanotubes are mixed with platinum nanoparticles at a weight ratio of 5/1, the photoelectric conversion efficiency of DSSCs can reach 6.28%. When using the FTO-containing substrate as the counter electrode, its conversion efficiency indicates that the micro-/nano-hybrid material formed by PtNPs/CNTs also exhibits an excellent photoelectric conversion efficiency (8.45%) on the traditional FTO substrate. Further, a large-area dye-sensitive cell is fabricated, showing that an 8 cm × 8 cm cell has a conversion efficiency of 7.95%. Therefore, the traditional Pt counter electrode can be replaced with a PtNP/CNT nanohybrid film, which both provides dye-sensitive cells with a high photoelectric conversion efficiency and reduces costs.

Flexible Hybrid Electronics Nanofiber Electrodes with Excellent Stretchability and Highly Stable Electrical Conductivity for Smart Clothing

“…Following a previous study, the polymeric dispersant PIB–POE–PIB triblock copolymer was synthesized through amination and further imidization between PIB-SA and POE-2000 (molar ratio: 2:1), as shown in Figure S4 of the Supporting Information. − PIB-SA (25.0 g, 2 mol) was dissolved in THF (200 mL) in a three-necked round-bottom flask; then, POE-2000 (19.0 g, 1 mol, dissolved in THF (152 mL) in advance) was added dropwise, and a mechanical stirrer and thermocouple were used for mixing and heating, respectively. The mixture was allowed to react at 25 °C for 3 h under constant stirring before being analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), as shown in Figure S5 of the Supporting Information.…”

Numerical simulation of solar cell performance with copper-based layered perovskite using SCAPS-1D software

“…Given platinum's commendable attributes, such as excellent catalytic activity, electrical conductivity, corrosion resistance, and chemical inertness [31,32], it was chosen for the simulation. This configuration will undergo an extensive analysis, encompassing the exploration of different ETL options, variations in layer thickness, temperature effects, and defect density.…”

Application of Nanohybrid Substrates with Layer-by-Layer Self-Assembling Properties to High-Sensitivity Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Detection

“…Using DMF as the reducing agent, tetrachloroauric acid was reduced to stable AuNPs with the addition of an amphiphilic triblock copolymer (PIB−ED−PIB). 41 First, 0.1 g of HAuCl 4 powder was dissolved in 10 mL of deionized water (DIW) and slowly added dropwise into the copolymer solution prepared according to a previously described method, 42 with the DIW/DMF solvent weight ratio controlled at 2/1. The mixture was maintained at 80 °C and stirred continuously for several hours.…”