Sub-micrometer-sized Graphite As a Conducting and Catalytic Counter Electrode for Dye-sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract

Sub-micrometer-sized colloidal graphite (CG) was tested as a conducting electrode to replace transparent conducting oxide (TCO) electrodes and as a catalytic material to replace platinum (Pt) for I(3)(-) reduction in dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). CG paste was used to make a film via the doctor-blade process. The 9 μm thick CG film showed a lower resistivity (7 Ω/◻) than the widely used fluorine-doped tin oxide TCO (8-15 Ω/◻). The catalytic activity of this graphite film was measured and compared with the corresponding properties of Pt. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy studies clearly showed a decrease in the charge transfer resistance with the increase in the thickness of the graphite layer from 3 to 9 μm. Under 1 sun illumination (100 mW cm(-2), AM 1.5), DSSCs with submicrometer-sized graphite as a catalyst on fluorine-doped tin oxide TCO showed an energy conversion efficiency greater than 6.0%, comparable to the conversion efficiency of Pt. DSSCs with a graphite counter electrode (CE) on TCO-free bare glass showed an energy conversion efficiency greater than 5.0%, which demonstrated that the graphite layer could be used both as a conducting layer and as a catalytic layer.

A review on applications of Cu2ZnSnS4 as alternative counter electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells

“…Superior catalytic activity, flexible electrochemical performance, good conductivity, high active area, cheaper and greener synthesis and fabrication techniques, effective performance is expected from CE alternative to Pt in DSSC. Recently graphene and other carbon based composites, [37][38][39] 44,45 exhibited performance that is competitive to Pt. The research has led to large increasing number of publications.…”

Synthesis of multi-layer graphene films on silica using physical vapour deposition

“…The synthesis of graphene device layers on CMOS compatible substrates is advantageous for an increasing number of applications, including dye-sensitized solar cells [1], super capacitors [2], biosensors [3], nano-electronics [4] and batteries [5]. Large areas of graphene (up to 1 cm 2 ) have been grown on metallic templating surfaces such as copper [6].…”

Electrodeposition of Gold on Lignocelluloses and Graphite-Based Composite Paper Electrodes for Superior Electrical Properties

“…Due to its thermal stablity and flexibility of modification in structure, graphite is excessively used for energy technology, i.e., Li-ion batteries, supercapacitors, solar cells, and fuel cells. [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] The inherently rigid structure of graphite shows limited potential in large scale hybrid energy storage devices and disposable electronics. The flexibility of graphite can be addressed by development of composites with natural and textile fibers.…”