High performance carbon black counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells

Wu, Chia Shing; Chang, Ting Wei; Teng, Hsisheng; Lee, Yuh Lang

doi:10.1016/j.energy.2016.09.052

Cited by 93 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…The R 2 has a negative effect on the DSSC performances in terms of FF and overall efficiency. The greater R 2 means lower electron transfer rate at the electrolyte/CE interface reducing the performance of the cell . The extracted data were listed in Table .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Facile fabrication of low‐cost low‐temperature carbon‐based counter electrode with an outstanding fill factor of 73% for dye‐sensitized solar cells

et al. 2020

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Summary Developing chemically inert, electrically conductive, and catalytically active counter electrodes (CEs) to replace conventional Pt‐based ones is highly desirable for dye‐sensitized solar cells. Herein, we reported a facile, cost‐effective, and low‐temperature synthesis pathway to develop carbon‐based CEs. The performance of homemade carbon paste (H‐CP)–based CE (H‐CE) was compared with that of commercial carbon paste (C‐CP)–based CE (C‐CE) and Pt‐based CE (Pt‐CE). The scanning electron microscope (SEM) results showed that H‐CE demonstrated a penetrable surface structure which facilitates the diffusion of electrolyte through the carbon electrode. This phenomenon enhanced the triiodide reduction with respect to C‐CE having a compact structure that limits the electrolyte diffusion. The charge transfer properties and catalytic activities of the investigated devices were explored using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and Tafel polarization measurements; the obtained results indicated that the device based on H‐CE revealed relatively lower charge transfer resistance and higher exchange current density compared with C‐CE‐based device. The current‐voltage measurements showed that the device based on H‐CE has a power conversion efficiency of 2.70%, which was about 1.6 times higher than that of the device based on C‐CE (1.68%). Furthermore, a fill factor of 73% was achieved for the device based on H‐CE, which outperformed the Pt‐based device (69%) and was among one of the highest values obtained in the literature. Also, a tape adhesion test performed on H‐CP‐coated glass substrate displayed its excellent robustness.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Facile fabrication of low‐cost low‐temperature carbon‐based counter electrode with an outstanding fill factor of 73% for dye‐sensitized solar cells

et al. 2020

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“…These advantages make Cb a potential candidate for the CE in DSC and the active sites for Cb catalysis are always located at the edge of crystals . The Lee group prepared a Cb CE for DSC using poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) as a binder to tune the viscosity of the Cb paste for the doctor blade process . The PVDF binder was removed by a thermal treatment, and a mesoporous structure was constructed for the Cb film.…”

Section: Carbon Counter Electrode In the Dye‐sensitized Solar Cellmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[138,139] The Lee group prepared a Cb CE for DSC using poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) as a binder to tune the viscosity of the Cb paste for the doctor blade process. [140] The PVDF binder was removed by a thermal treatment, and a mesoporous structure was constructed for the Cb film. The impacts of Cb concentration and heat-treatment temperature on the catalytic activity of the Cb CE were studied.…”

Section: Carbon Black and Graphitementioning

confidence: 99%

Carbon Counter Electrodes in Dye‐Sensitized and Perovskite Solar Cells

Sun

Zhou

et al. 2019

Adv Funct Materials

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Developing highly effective and stable counter electrode (CE) materials to replace rare and expensive noble metals for dye‐sensitized and perovskite solar cells (DSC and PSC) is a research hotspot. Carbon materials are identified as the most qualified noble metal‐free CEs for the commercialization of the two photovoltaic devices due to their merits of low cost, excellent activity, and superior stability. Herein, carbonaceous CE materials are reviewed extensively with respect to the two devices. For DSC, a classified discussion according to the morphology is presented because electrode properties are closely related to the specific porosity or nanostructure of carbon materials. The pivotal factors influencing the catalytic behavior of carbon CEs are also discussed. For PSC, an overview of the new carbon CE materials is addressed comprehensively. Moreover, the modification techniques to improve the interfacial contact between the perovskite and carbon layers, aiming to enhance the photovoltaic performance, are also demonstrated. Finally, the development directions, main challenges, and coping approaches with respect to the carbon CE in DSC and PSC are stated.

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“…Among the various carbon allotropes, carbon black has the most accessible structure, and the cost of its fabrication is also relatively lower than that of other structural fabrications. Research has found that a carbon black counter electrode could achieve a PCE of 8.29%, close to the value produced by a DSSC with a platinum counter electrode: a PCE of 8.35% (Wu et al, 2016). The use of carbon black, however, should be avoided due to its possible carcinogenic effect on humans (Ramanakumar et al, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characteristics of Carbon Pyrolyzed from Table Sugar and Sucrose for Pt-less DSSC Counter Electrode

Sofyan¹,

Muhammad

Ridhova

et al. 2018

IJTech

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Platinum is the most effective counter electrode for use in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC). However, as platinum is very expensive, its price impedes its broad use as a DSSC counter electrode. As an alternative, carbon has been used for this purpose. In this study, carbon has been successfully pyrolyzed from the precursors of table sugar and sucrose through a chemical process, i.e. the dehydration of the precursors with sulfate acid followed by a pyrolysis process, and used as Pt-less counter electrode in a DSSC device. The as-synthesized carbon was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) to obtain crystal structure information and a scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) was employed to carry out morphological and compositional examination. The material activity and performance of the counter electrode in the DSSC device were analyzed using a semiconductor parameter analyzer through current-voltage characteristic curves (I-V). The results show that the precursors of table sugar without the addition of a metal catalyst and with initial heat treatment at 300°C for 1 hour, and of sucrose with a catalyst could produce carbon with a particle size of around 600-900 nm. The I-V curve characteristic of the DSSC device assembled using carbon produced from sucrose as a counter electrode resulted in a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of only 0.041%, whereas the DSSC device assembled using carbon produced from table sugar as a counter electrode exhibited a good performance with a PCE of 3.239%, almost equivalent to that of platinum paste with a PCE of 4.024%. This result is promising in terms of using a cheap source of carbon for the Pt-less counter electrode.

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High performance carbon black counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells

Cited by 93 publications

References 40 publications

Facile fabrication of low‐cost low‐temperature carbon‐based counter electrode with an outstanding fill factor of 73% for dye‐sensitized solar cells

Facile fabrication of low‐cost low‐temperature carbon‐based counter electrode with an outstanding fill factor of 73% for dye‐sensitized solar cells

Carbon Counter Electrodes in Dye‐Sensitized and Perovskite Solar Cells

Characteristics of Carbon Pyrolyzed from Table Sugar and Sucrose for Pt-less DSSC Counter Electrode

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