Transparent MoS₂/PEDOT Composite Counter Electrodes for Bifacial Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are solar energy conversion devices with high efficiency and simple fabrication procedures. Developing transparent counter electrode (CE) materials for bifacial DSSCs can address the needs of windowtype building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs). Herein, transparent organic−inorganic hybrid composite films of molybdenum disulfide and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (MoS 2 /PEDOT) are prepared to take full advantage of the conductivity and electrocatalytic ability of the two components. MoS 2 is synthesized by hydrothermal method and spin-coated to form the MoS 2 layer, and then PEDOT films are electrochemically polymerized on top of the MoS 2 film to form the composite CEs. The DSSC with the optimized MoS 2 /PEDOT composite CE shows power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 7% under front illumination and 4.82% under back illumination. Compared with the DSSC made by the PEDOT CE and the Pt CE, the DSSC fabricated by the MoS 2 /PEDOT composite CE improves the PCE by 10.6% and 6.4% for front illumination, respectively. It proves that the transparent MoS 2 / PEDOT CE owes superior conductivity and catalytic properties, and it is an excellent candidate for bifacial DSSC in the application of BIPVs.

Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) in Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells: Toward Solid‐State and Platinum‐Free Photovoltaics

“…Xu et al reported a transparent counter electrode made by a layer of MoS 2 on FTO, subsequently covered by PEDOT. [286] MoS 2 was synthesized by hydrothermal method, whereas PEDOT was deposited by electropolymerization. The film of PEDOT/MoS 2 showed a different morphology from that of pure PEDOT, with very small pores and good uniformity, which increased the surface area exposing many active sites.…”

“…It was demonstrated that this procedure yields to better performance, by creating a better interface between dye and conducting polymer. [289,[291][292][293] Therefore, the choice of the photosensitizer strongly affects the morphology and properties [286] Copyright 2020, The authors. Reproduced with permission.…”

“…B) Schematic representation of PEP mechanism and relative thin layer electrolytic cell. Reproduced according to the terms of the CC-BY license [286]. Copyright 2020, The authors.…”

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

“…In the past few decades, various Polymers 2021, 13, 3103 2 of 17 methods have been used to assemble DSSCs [13], for which the counter electrode is one of the key components [14]. To improve the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells and reduce the overall cost, the counter electrode has also become the main research subject, due to its simpler manufacturing process [15,16]. Platinum is often used as a counter electrode material because of its excellent catalytic ability [17].…”

Effect of Ionic Strength on the Performance of Dye-sensitized Solar Cells Based on Natural Dyes

“…These components are sandwiched between two electrodes that made of a highly transparent conducting glass. There have been many attempts to improve the performance of each component in DSSCs [12][13][14][15] . The main component in DSSCs is the sensitizer (dye) that makes these cells mimicking the photosynthesis in nature, which has received a noticeable amount of research [16][17][18][19] .…”