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Hora C, Santos F, Pereira AM, Sales MF, Ivanou D, Mendes A. PEDOT-graphene counter-electrode for solar and improved artificial light conversion in regular, bifacial and FTO-less cobalt mediated DSSCs. Electrochim Acta 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2022.140140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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2
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Ramli MA, Mawarnis ER, Umar MIA, Rahman MYA, Fauzia V, Nurdin M, Umar AA. Charge transfer uplift in dye-sensitized solar cells using fibrous nanocrystals of platinum-based bimetallic counter electrodes. SURFACES AND INTERFACES 2021; 26:101311. [DOI: 10.1016/j.surfin.2021.101311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
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3
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Self-Assembly Synthesis of the MoS 2/PtCo Alloy Counter Electrodes for High-Efficiency and Stable Low-Cost Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. NANOMATERIALS 2020; 10:nano10091725. [PMID: 32878110 PMCID: PMC7559067 DOI: 10.3390/nano10091725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
In this work, MoS2 microspheres/PtCo-alloy nanoparticles (MoS2/PtCo-alloy NPs) were composited via a novel and facile process which MoS2 is functionalized by poly (N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (PVP) and self-assembled with PtCo-alloy NPs. This new composite shows excellent electrocatalytic activity and great potential for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) as a counter electrode (CE) material. Benefiting from heterostructure and synergistic effects, the MoS2/PtCo-alloy NPs exhibit high electrocatalytic activity, low charge-transfer resistance and stability in the cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) test. Meanwhile, a high power-conversion efficiency (PCE) of 8.46% is achieved in DSSCs with MoS2/PtCo-alloy NP CEs, which are comparable to traditional Pt CEs (8.45%). This novel composite provides a new high-performance, stable and cheap choice for CEs in DSSCs.
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Liu WW, Jiang W, Liu YC, Niu WJ, Liu MC, Kong LB, Lee L, Wang ZM, Chueh YL. Interface Engineered Binary Platinum Free Alloy-based Counter Electrodes with Improved Performance in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. Sci Rep 2020; 10:9157. [PMID: 32514011 PMCID: PMC7280534 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-64965-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The high cost and platinum dissolution issues of counter electrodes (CEs) are two core problems for the development of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). In this work, different CEs based on binary alloy Ru81.09Co18.91, Ru80.55Se19.45 and Co20.85Se79.15 nanostructures for DSSCs were successfully synthesized and investigated by a facile and environmentally friendly approach. Here, we found that the Co20.85Se79.15 alloy CE-based device yields the higher photoelectric conversion efficiency of 7.08% compared with that (5.80%) of the DSSC using a pure Pt CE because of the larger number of active sites with improved charge transferability and reduced interface resistance by matching work function with the I3‒/I‒ redox electrolyte. The inexpensive synthesis method, cost-effectiveness and superior catalytic activity of the Co20.85Se79.15 alloy may open up a new avenue for the development of CEs for DSSCs in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Wu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Processing and Recycling of Nonferrous Metals, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou, 730050, PR China.
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou, 730050, PR China.
| | - Wei Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Processing and Recycling of Nonferrous Metals, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou, 730050, PR China
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou, 730050, PR China
| | - Yu-Cheng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Processing and Recycling of Nonferrous Metals, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou, 730050, PR China
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou, 730050, PR China
| | - Wen-Jun Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Processing and Recycling of Nonferrous Metals, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou, 730050, PR China
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou, 730050, PR China
| | - Mao-Cheng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Processing and Recycling of Nonferrous Metals, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou, 730050, PR China
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou, 730050, PR China
| | - Ling-Bin Kong
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Processing and Recycling of Nonferrous Metals, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou, 730050, PR China
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou, 730050, PR China
| | - Ling Lee
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, 30013, Taiwan
- Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, P. R. China
| | - Zhiming M Wang
- Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, P. R. China
| | - Yu-Lun Chueh
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, 30013, Taiwan.
- Frontier Research Center on Fundamental and Applied Sciences of Matters, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, 30013, Taiwan.
- Department of Physics, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, 80424, Taiwan.
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Peri R, P MK, B M. Improved performance of dye-sensitized solar cells upon sintering of a PEDOT cathode at various temperatures. RSC Adv 2020; 10:4521-4528. [PMID: 35495268 PMCID: PMC9049122 DOI: 10.1039/c9ra09715e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) thin films have attracted considerable attention as cathodes for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) due to their air-stable, light-weight and conductive nature. To demonstrate their thermal stability as cathodes, PEDOT thin films coated via electrochemical polymerization on fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) plates were sintered at different temperatures (50, 100, 150, 200, and 300 °C) for 1 h and a comparison was made with the as-prepared PEDOT thin films. We observed a negative temperature coefficient effect up to 200 °C along with lower surface roughness upon increasing the sintering temperature. Dye solar cells were fabricated using PEDOT thin films (sintered at different temperatures) and as-prepared PEDOT cathodes, and their respective performances were studied. The results showed increased efficiency with the increase in sintering temperatures of the cathode up to 200 °C (η = 4.33%) under the present experimental conditions. Cathodes sintered at 300 °C had poor electrochemical behavior and J-V performance, which may be due to polymer degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajagopal Peri
- Department of Energy, School of Chemical Sciences, University of Madras, Guindy Campus Chennai 600 025 INDIA
| | - Mathan Kumar P
- Department of Energy, School of Chemical Sciences, University of Madras, Guindy Campus Chennai 600 025 INDIA
| | - Muthuraaman B
- Department of Energy, School of Chemical Sciences, University of Madras, Guindy Campus Chennai 600 025 INDIA
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Meyer E, Mbese J, Mutukwa D, Zingwe N. Structural, Morphological and Electrochemical Characterization of Hydrothermally Fabricated PdNiCo and PdNiCo-rGO Alloys for Use as Counter Electrode Catalysts in DSSC. MATERIALS 2019; 12:ma12193256. [PMID: 31590418 PMCID: PMC6804197 DOI: 10.3390/ma12193256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2019] [Revised: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 09/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The hydrothermal fabrication and characterization of ternary palladium alloys PdNiCo and PdNiCo-rGO, which could be potential replacements to the expensive and corrosion susceptible platinum counter electrode in dye sensitized solar cells is hereby reported in this article. The synergy created by combining three metallic elements as well as the effect of carbon supports was investigated. The as-synthesized alloys consisted of agglomerated spherical particles. Comparison of the electrochemical analysis data showed that PdNiCo-rGO counter electrode could be a potential replacement for the platinum counter electrode with reduction current density, peak to peak potential difference, charge transfer resistance and power conversion efficiency of 21 mA∙cm−2, 0.12 mV, 0.726 Ω and 4.36% respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edson Meyer
- Fort Hare Institute of Technology, University of Fort Hare, Alice 5700, South Africa.
| | - Johannes Mbese
- Department of Chemistry, University of Fort Hare, Alice 5700, South Africa.
| | - Dorcas Mutukwa
- Fort Hare Institute of Technology, University of Fort Hare, Alice 5700, South Africa.
- Department of Chemistry, University of Fort Hare, Alice 5700, South Africa.
| | - Nyengerai Zingwe
- Fort Hare Institute of Technology, University of Fort Hare, Alice 5700, South Africa.
- Department of Chemistry, University of Fort Hare, Alice 5700, South Africa.
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Ramli MA, Saad SKM, Mawarnis ER, Umar MIA, Menon PS, Rahman MYA, Ali Umar A. Facile charge transfer in fibrous PdPt bimetallic nanocube counter electrodes. NEW J CHEM 2019. [DOI: 10.1039/c9nj01673b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Enhanced charge transfer is realized in DSSCs that utilize poriferous PdPt bimetallic nanocubes as the counter electrode.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhamad Adam Ramli
- Institute of Microengineering and Nanoelectronics
- Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
- Bangi
- Malaysia
| | - Siti Khatijah Md Saad
- Institute of Microengineering and Nanoelectronics
- Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
- Bangi
- Malaysia
| | - Elvy Rahmi Mawarnis
- Department of Chemistry Education
- Faculty of Tarbiyah
- Institut Agama Islam Negeri (IAIN)
- 27213 Batusangkar
- Indonesia
| | - Marjoni Imamora Ali Umar
- Department of Physics Education
- Faculty of Tarbiyah
- Institut Agama Islam Negeri (IAIN)
- 27213 Batusangkar
- Indonesia
| | - P. Susthitha Menon
- Institute of Microengineering and Nanoelectronics
- Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
- Bangi
- Malaysia
| | - Mohd Yusri Abd Rahman
- Institute of Microengineering and Nanoelectronics
- Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
- Bangi
- Malaysia
| | - Akrajas Ali Umar
- Institute of Microengineering and Nanoelectronics
- Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
- Bangi
- Malaysia
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A Review on the Advancement of Ternary Alloy Counter Electrodes for Use in Dye-Sensitised Solar Cells. METALS 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/met8121080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
A dye-sensitised solar cell (DSSC) counter electrode (CE) plays a vital role in catalysing the conversion of triiodide ( I 3 − ) to iodide ions ( I − ), thereby ensuring the completion of the repetitive cycle of electricity generation. The platinum CE, despite being the standard counter electrode in DSSCs, has drawbacks of platinum’s rarity and high cost. Platinum is an excellent redox catalyst, and consequently, it is the most sought-after metal for catalytic conversions. The huge demand for platinum in the automotive industry for vehicular catalytic converters, the pharmaceutical industry, and in oil refining, as well as other industries, has driven its price to unprecedented levels. The prohibitive price of platinum has caused newer thin film technologies, such as the DSSC which depends on the platinum CE, to be cost-ineffective, thus meaning they cannot compete with the better-established silicon-based solar cells. These problems have stagnated the development of the DSSC, which in turn has dampened larger commercialisation prospects for this thin film technology. With this in mind, this review paper focuses on recent progress in the research and development of alternative cost-effective materials to replace Pt-based CEs. Ternary alloys are amongst the possible alternatives that have been explored, yielding varied results. Alloys, especially ternary sulphides, selenides, and oxides, are attractive as alternatives as they are cheap and are easily fabricated. Ternary alloys also have a synergistic effect produced by the coexistence of two metal ions in a crystal structure, which is believed to induce greater catalytic capability, thus making them ideal cost-effective materials to replace the Pt CE in DSSCs. This review intends to highlight the performance of ternary alloy counter electrodes through the analysis of charge transfer resistance and power conversion efficiencies. Focus is also given to the restrictions and impediments to the attainment of higher power conversion efficiency in alternative CEs. The advances in fabrication of simple ternary alloys, as well as more advanced hierarchical nanostructured counter electrodes, are discussed here in detail. Results obtained to date indicate that the efficiencies of ternary alloy counter electrodes are still below that of the platinum counter electrode, and hence more research is required to enhance their efficiencies.
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Sharma K, Sharma V, Sharma SS. Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells: Fundamentals and Current Status. NANOSCALE RESEARCH LETTERS 2018; 13:381. [PMID: 30488132 PMCID: PMC6261913 DOI: 10.1186/s11671-018-2760-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 228] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2017] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) belong to the group of thin-film solar cells which have been under extensive research for more than two decades due to their low cost, simple preparation methodology, low toxicity and ease of production. Still, there is lot of scope for the replacement of current DSSC materials due to their high cost, less abundance, and long-term stability. The efficiency of existing DSSCs reaches up to 12%, using Ru(II) dyes by optimizing material and structural properties which is still less than the efficiency offered by first- and second-generation solar cells, i.e., other thin-film solar cells and Si-based solar cells which offer ~ 20-30% efficiency. This article provides an in-depth review on DSSC construction, operating principle, key problems (low efficiency, low scalability, and low stability), prospective efficient materials, and finally a brief insight to commercialization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khushboo Sharma
- Department of Physics, Bhagwant University, Ajmer, 305004 India
| | - Vinay Sharma
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 639798 Singapore
| | - S. S. Sharma
- Department of Physics, Govt. Women Engineering College, Ajmer, 305002 India
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Chen X, Ding J, Li Y, Wu Y, Zhuang G, Zhang C, Zhang Z, Zhu C, Yang P. Size-controllable synthesis of NiCoSe 2 microspheres as a counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells. RSC Adv 2018; 8:26047-26055. [PMID: 35541931 PMCID: PMC9082824 DOI: 10.1039/c8ra04091e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
NiCoSe2 microspheres have been successfully synthesized by a facile one-step hydrothermal method at different hydrothermal temperatures. The prepared samples are divided according to their reaction temperatures (90, 120, 150 and 180 °C) and named NiCoSe2-90, NiCoSe2-120, NiCoSe2-150 and NiCoSe2-180, respectively. The diameters of the NiCoSe2 microspheres strongly depend on the different hydrothermal temperatures. When the temperature is increased to 150 °C, the size of the resultant NiCoSe2 microspheres changes from 200 to 800 nm, and the interior of NiCoSe2-150 possesses a flocculent structure. However, NiCoSe2-180 displays a cauliflower-like aggregated structure. The prepared NiCoSe2 alloys are used as high-performance Pt-free counter electrodes (CEs) for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Cyclic voltammogram measurement indicates that NiCoSe2-150 CE has larger current density than Pt CE. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy shows that NiCoSe2-150 CE has a low charge-transfer resistance of 1.8 Ω cm2. Due to their unique morphologies and well-defined interior and exterior structures, DSSCs based on NiCoSe2-120 and NiCoSe2-150 CEs achieve high power conversion efficiencies of 8.48% and 8.76%, respectively, which are higher than that of the solar cell based on Pt CE (8.31%).
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobo Chen
- School of New Energy and Electronic Engineering, Yancheng Teachers University Yancheng 224051 PR China
| | - Jingguo Ding
- School of New Energy and Electronic Engineering, Yancheng Teachers University Yancheng 224051 PR China
| | - Yan Li
- School of New Energy and Electronic Engineering, Yancheng Teachers University Yancheng 224051 PR China
| | - Yinxia Wu
- School of New Energy and Electronic Engineering, Yancheng Teachers University Yancheng 224051 PR China
| | - Guoce Zhuang
- School of New Energy and Electronic Engineering, Yancheng Teachers University Yancheng 224051 PR China
| | - Cuicui Zhang
- School of New Energy and Electronic Engineering, Yancheng Teachers University Yancheng 224051 PR China
| | - Zhihai Zhang
- School of New Energy and Electronic Engineering, Yancheng Teachers University Yancheng 224051 PR China
| | - Chengyun Zhu
- School of New Energy and Electronic Engineering, Yancheng Teachers University Yancheng 224051 PR China
| | - Peizhi Yang
- Key Laboratory of Education Ministry for Advance Technique and Preparation of Renewable Energy Materials, Institute of Solar Energy, Yunnan Normal University Kunming 650500 PR China
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Venkatesan S, Lee YL. Nanofillers in the electrolytes of dye-sensitized solar cells – A short review. Coord Chem Rev 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2017.09.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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12
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Ghasemi S, Hosseini SR, Kazemi Z. Electrochemical deposition of Pt-Ni on reduced graphene oxide as counter electrode material for dye-sensitized solar cell. J Photochem Photobiol A Chem 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotochem.2017.08.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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13
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Wang H, Wu D, Cao K, Wang F, Gao Z, Xu F, Jiang K. Co(SxSe1-x)2 Nanorods Arrays with Rhombus Cross-section Exhibiting High Catalytic Activity for Quantum dot Sensitized Solar Cells. Electrochim Acta 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2017.08.134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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14
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Highly sensitive and selective detection of Bis-phenol A based on hydroxyapatite decorated reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites. Electrochim Acta 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2017.04.135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Liu H, Lou Y, Yuan S, Liu M, Zhou H. Depositing Pt nanoparticles by pulse electrodeposition for DSSCs counter electrode with high electrocatalytic activity. RESEARCH ON CHEMICAL INTERMEDIATES 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s11164-017-2918-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Wu J, Lan Z, Lin J, Huang M, Huang Y, Fan L, Luo G, Lin Y, Xie Y, Wei Y. Counter electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells. Chem Soc Rev 2017; 46:5975-6023. [DOI: 10.1039/c6cs00752j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 480] [Impact Index Per Article: 68.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
This article panoramically reviews the counter electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells, which is of great significance for the development of photovoltaic and photoelectric devices.
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