Incorporation of Graphene Into Counter Electrode to Enhance the Performance of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract

Platinum (Pt) is a conventional material for counter electrodes of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) due to its excellent electrocatalytic activity in the redox process. However, the high cost of Pt motivates researchers to search for composite materials of Pt to reduce its consumption. This study is aimed to reduce Pt usage by incorporating reduced graphene oxide (rGO) with Pt of different ratios in counter electrode thin films and to determine the optimum ratio with the highest efficiency. A DSSCbased platinum/rGO (Pt/rGO) counter electrode composite was fabricated using doctor-blade method. X-ray diffraction analysis was performed to examine the crystallite structure of the Pt/rGO thin film. The optimum ratio was found to be 70:30 of Pt:rGO, with current-voltage characterization showing an efficiency of 5.5%, open-circuit voltage of 0.739 V, current density of 12.5 mA/cm 2 , and fill factor of 59.24%.Keywords: counter electrode, dye-sensitized solar cell, graphene, platinum, thin film Abstrak Platinum (Pt) adalah bahan konvensional untuk elektrod lawan sel suria terpeka pewarna (DSSC) memandangkan ia mempunyai aktiviti pemangkinan-elektro dalam proses redoks yang sangat baik. Namun begitu, harga Pt sangat mahal mendorong para pengkaji untuk mencari bahan komposit Pt yang boleh mengurangkan penggunaannya. Kajian ini menumpukan pengurangan penggunaan Pt dengan menggabungkannya dengan grafin oksida terturun (rGO) dengan Pt dalam filem nipis elektrod lawan pada nisbah berbeza dan untuk menentukan nisbah paling optimum yang meningkatkan kecekapan. DSSC berasaskan komposit elektrod lawan platinum/grafin oksida (Pt/rGO) telah difabrikasikan menggunakan kaedah doctor blade. Analisis Pembelauan sinar-X (XRD) telah dijalankan untuk memeriksa struktur kristal pada filem nipis Pt/rGO. Nisbah optimum yang dicapai adalah 70:30 kepada Pt:rGO dimana pencirian arus-voltan (I-V) menunjukkan nilai kecekapan ialah 5.5%, dengan nilai litar voltan terbuka V oc , ketumpatan arus J sc, dan faktor mengisi FF, masing-masing dengan nilai 0.739 V, 12.5 mA/cm 2 dan 59.24 %.

Synergetic Effects of Hybrid Carbon Nanostructured Counter Electrodes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells: A Review

“…The material also has a high optical transparency of 97.7% [112], excellent thermal conductivity, high hole mobility, and abundance of oxygen vacancies/defects. These properties enhance its catalytic activity [113], corrosive resistance, low cost, and abundance [105]. Figure 18a-i show the different morphologies of graphene and its hybrids.…”

Counter electrode materials based on carbon nanotubes for dye-sensitized solar cells

“…are clean energy resources, therefore, it is need of hour to increase their share in world energy market in order to address the problems associated with non-renewable energy sources. Solar energy is the most appropriate source among all as it exploits the abundant energy reserve (~174,000 TW per year) [3]. Therefore, development of solar power will lessen the problem of energy crisis, limited reserves, and global warming.…”

“…In recent years, various types of photovoltaics (PV) devices have been studied which include; i). Silicon based first generation solar cells [11] showing power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 25% [3], ii). Second generation solar cells focused on thin films of different materials [12] exhibiting PCEs ranging between 20-28% [3], and iii).…”

“…Silicon based first generation solar cells [11] showing power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 25% [3], ii). Second generation solar cells focused on thin films of different materials [12] exhibiting PCEs ranging between 20-28% [3], and iii). emerging photovoltaic technologies commonly known as third generation solar cells [13] (see Fig.…”