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Mousavi F, Taherpour AA. A carbon nanotube-iron (III) oxide nanocomposite as a cathode in dye-sensitized solar cells: Computational modeling and electrochemical investigations. Electrochim Acta 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2019.06.104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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2
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Mousavi F, Shamsipur M, Taherpour A(A, Pashabadi A. A rhodium-decorated carbon nanotube cathode material in the dye-sensitized solar cell: Conversion efficiency reached to 11%. Electrochim Acta 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2019.03.224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Yao W, Bae KJ, Jung MY, Cho YR. Transparent, conductive, and superhydrophobic nanocomposite coatings on polymer substrate. J Colloid Interface Sci 2017; 506:429-436. [PMID: 28750244 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2017.07.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2017] [Revised: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 07/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Transparent, conductive, and superhydrophobic nanocomposite coatings were fabricated on the polyethylene terephthalate substrate by a spray method. Different concentrations of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) entwined with SiO2 nanoparticles, which originated from the hydrolysis and condensation of tetraethyl orthosilicate, were sprayed to form MWCNTs/SiO2 nanocomposite coatings. The coatings were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, contact angle measurements, and other analytical techniques. The surface morphology, hydrophobicity, transparency, and conductivity of the nanocomposite coating were found to be strongly dependent on the MWCNT concentration. With increasing MWCNT concentration, the hydrophobicity increased first and then decreased, and the optical transmittance and sheet resistance decreased. The enhanced hydrophobicity was associated with the surface microstructure and chemical composition of the coating. The decreased hydrophobicity resulted mainly from the decrease in the trapped air between the water droplet and the nanocomposite coating. Owing to the hierarchically porous 3-dimensional microstructure and opportune fluorinated MWCNT content, the nanocomposite coating with 0.2wt% MWCNTs exhibited the best hydrophobicity with a contact angle of 156.7°, good transparency with 95.7% transmittance and relatively high conductivity with a sheet resistance of 3.2×104Ωsq-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhui Yao
- Division of Materials Science and Engineering, Pusan National University, 30 Jangjeon-dong, Geumjeong-gu, Busan 609-735, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwang-Jin Bae
- Division of Materials Science and Engineering, Pusan National University, 30 Jangjeon-dong, Geumjeong-gu, Busan 609-735, Republic of Korea
| | - Myung Yung Jung
- Department of Cogno-Mechatronics Engineering, Pusan National University, 30 Jangjeon-dong, Geumjeong-gu, Busan 609-735, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Rae Cho
- Division of Materials Science and Engineering, Pusan National University, 30 Jangjeon-dong, Geumjeong-gu, Busan 609-735, Republic of Korea.
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Ghasemi S, Hosseini SR, Mousavi F. Electrophoretic deposition of graphene nanosheets: A suitable method for fabrication of silver-graphene counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cell. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2017.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Nemala SS, Kartikay P, Prathapani S, Bohm HLM, Bhargava P, Bohm S, Mallick S. Liquid phase high shear exfoliated graphene nanoplatelets as counter electrode material for dye-sensitized solar cells. J Colloid Interface Sci 2017; 499:9-16. [PMID: 28363105 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2017.03.083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2017] [Revised: 03/17/2017] [Accepted: 03/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) are prepared from natural graphite by a simple and low-cost liquid phase high shear exfoliation method. The as-prepared GNPs are used as a counter electrode (CE) material for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). To confirm the Exfoliated GNPs, structural and morphological studies are carried out using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) studies. The electrochemical behaviour of GNPs as a counter electrode material is evaluated and compared with standard Platinum (Pt) electrode using cyclic-voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). These studies indicated that electrocatalytic activity towards I-/I3- redox mediator exhibited by the GNPs based electrode is comparable to standard Pt counter electrodes. DSSCs are fabricated using the counter electrodes made of GNPs and the photo-conversion efficiency is found to be 6.23% under standard test conditions, which is comparable to Pt based DSSCs proving them as potential alternative materials for counter electrodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siva Sankar Nemala
- Department of Metallurgical Engineering & Materials Science, Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay, Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Purnendu Kartikay
- Department of Metallurgical Engineering & Materials Science, Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay, Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Sateesh Prathapani
- Department of Metallurgical Engineering & Materials Science, Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay, Mumbai 400076, India
| | - H L Mallika Bohm
- Tata Steel R&D, University of Warwick Science Park, Sir William Lyons Road, Coventry CV4 7EZ, UK
| | - Parag Bhargava
- Department of Metallurgical Engineering & Materials Science, Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay, Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Sivasambu Bohm
- Department of Metallurgical Engineering & Materials Science, Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay, Mumbai 400076, India; Talga Technologies Ltd UK, Future Business Centre, King Hedges Road, Cambridge CB4 2HY, UK.
| | - Sudhanshu Mallick
- Department of Metallurgical Engineering & Materials Science, Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay, Mumbai 400076, India.
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Cheng CK, Lin CH, Wu HC, Ma CCM, Yeh TK, Chou HY, Tsai CH, Hsieh CK. The Two-Dimensional Nanocomposite of Molybdenum Disulfide and Nitrogen-Doped Graphene Oxide for Efficient Counter Electrode of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. NANOSCALE RESEARCH LETTERS 2016; 11:117. [PMID: 26925865 PMCID: PMC4771669 DOI: 10.1186/s11671-016-1277-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2015] [Accepted: 01/25/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we reported the synthesis of the two-dimensional (2D) nanocomposite of molybdenum disulfide and nitrogen-doped graphene oxide (MoS2/nGO) as a platinum-free counter electrode (CE) for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and Raman spectroscopy were used to examine the characteristics of the 2D nanocomposite of MoS2/nGO. The cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS), and the Tafel polarization measurements were carried out to examine the electrocatalytic abilities. XPS and Raman results showed the 2D behaviors of the prepared nanomaterials. HRTEM micrographs showed the direct evidence of the 2D nanocomposite of MoS2/nGO. The results of electrocatalytic examinations indicated the MoS2/nGO owning the low charge transfer resistance, high electrocatalytic activity, and fast reaction kinetics for the reduction of triiodide to iodide on the electrolyte-electrode interface. The 2D nanocomposite of MoS2/nGO combined the advantages of the high specific surface of nGO and the plenty edge sites of MoS2 and showed the promoted properties different from those of their individual constituents to create a new outstanding property. The DSSC with MoS2/nGO nanocomposite CE showed a photovoltaic conversion efficiency (PCE) of 5.95 % under an illumination of AM 1.5 (100 mW/cm(2)), which was up to 92.2 % of the DSSC with the conventional platinum (Pt) CE (PCE = 6.43 %). These results reveal the potential of the MoS2/nGO nanocomposite in the use of low-cost, scalable, and efficient Pt-free CEs for DSSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao-Kuang Cheng
- Department of Engineering and System Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, 30013, Taiwan, Republic of China.
| | - Che-Hsien Lin
- Department of Engineering and System Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, 30013, Taiwan, Republic of China.
| | - Hsuan-Chung Wu
- Department of Materials Engineering, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei City, 24301, Taiwan, Republic of China.
| | - Chen-Chi M Ma
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, 30013, Taiwan, Republic of China.
| | - Tsung-Kuang Yeh
- Department of Engineering and System Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, 30013, Taiwan, Republic of China.
| | - Huei-Yu Chou
- Department of Engineering and System Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, 30013, Taiwan, Republic of China.
| | - Chuen-Horng Tsai
- Department of Engineering and System Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, 30013, Taiwan, Republic of China.
| | - Chien-Kuo Hsieh
- Department of Materials Engineering, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei City, 24301, Taiwan, Republic of China.
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Ramalingam K, Panchu S, Salunke AS, Muthukumar K, Ramanujam A, Muthiah S. Free-Standing Graphene/Conducting Polymer Hybrid Cathodes as FTO and Pt-Free Electrode for Quasi-State Dye Sensitized Solar Cells. ChemistrySelect 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.201600874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Karthick Ramalingam
- CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute, Karaikudi; Tamil Nadu India. Pin - 630003
- CSIR-Network of Institutes for Solar Energy; CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute, Karaikudi; Tamil Nadu India. Pin - 630003
- CSIR-Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research, CSIR Campus; Taramani, Chennai - 600113 Tamil Nadu India
| | - SarojiniJeeva Panchu
- CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute, Karaikudi; Tamil Nadu India. Pin - 630003
- CSIR-Network of Institutes for Solar Energy; CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute, Karaikudi; Tamil Nadu India. Pin - 630003
| | - Ashish Shivaji Salunke
- CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute, Karaikudi; Tamil Nadu India. Pin - 630003
| | - Kamalambika Muthukumar
- CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute, Karaikudi; Tamil Nadu India. Pin - 630003
| | - Ashwin Ramanujam
- CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute, Karaikudi; Tamil Nadu India. Pin - 630003
| | - Selvaraj Muthiah
- CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute, Karaikudi; Tamil Nadu India. Pin - 630003
- CSIR-Network of Institutes for Solar Energy; CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute, Karaikudi; Tamil Nadu India. Pin - 630003
- CSIR-Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research, CSIR Campus; Taramani, Chennai - 600113 Tamil Nadu India
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Kouhnavard M, Ludin NA, Ghaffari BV, Sopian K, Ikeda S. Carbonaceous materials and their advances as a counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells: challenges and prospects. CHEMSUSCHEM 2015; 8:1510-1533. [PMID: 25925421 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.201500004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2015] [Revised: 03/01/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) serve as low-costing alternatives to silicon solar cells because of their low material and fabrication costs. Usually, they utilize Pt as the counter electrode (CE) to catalyze the iodine redox couple and to complete the electric circuit. Given that Pt is a rare and expensive metal, various carbon materials have been intensively investigated because of their low costs, high surface areas, excellent electrochemical stabilities, reasonable electrochemical activities, and high corrosion resistances. In this feature article, we provide an overview of recent studies on the electrochemical properties and photovoltaic performances of carbon-based CEs (e.g., activated carbon, nanosized carbon, carbon black, graphene, graphite, carbon nanotubes, and composite carbon). We focus on scientific challenges associated with each material and highlight recent advances achieved in overcoming these obstacles. Finally, we discuss possible future directions for this field of research aimed at obtaining highly efficient DSSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mojgan Kouhnavard
- Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 54100 (Malaysia)
| | - Norasikin Ahmad Ludin
- Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi, 43600, Selangor (Malaysia)
| | - Babak V Ghaffari
- Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 54100 (Malaysia)
| | - Kamarozzaman Sopian
- Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi, 43600, Selangor (Malaysia)
| | - Shoichiro Ikeda
- Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 54100 (Malaysia).
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Zhao X, Li M, Song D, Cui P, Zhang Z, Zhao Y, Shen C, Zhang Z. A novel hierarchical Pt- and FTO-free counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cell. NANOSCALE RESEARCH LETTERS 2014; 9:202. [PMID: 24808802 PMCID: PMC4009037 DOI: 10.1186/1556-276x-9-202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2013] [Accepted: 04/08/2014] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
A novel hierarchical Pt- and FTO-free counter electrode (CE) for the dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) was prepared by spin coating the mixture of TiO2 nanoparticles and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxy-thiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) solution onto the glass substrate. Compared with traditional Pt/FTO CE, the cost of the new CE is dramatically reduced by the application of bilayer TiO2-PEDOT:PSS/PEDOT:PSS film and the glass substrate. The sheet resistance of this composite film is 35 Ω sq(-1) and is low enough to be used as an electrode. The surface morphologies of TiO2-PEDOT:PSS layer and modified PEDOT:PSS layer were characterized by scanning electron microscope, which shows that the former had larger surface areas than the latter. Electrochemical impedance spectra and Tafel polarization curves prove that the catalytic activity of TiO2-PEDOT:PSS/PEDOT:PSS/glass CE is higher than that of PEDOT:PSS/FTO CE and is similar to Pt/FTO CE's. This new fabricated device with TiO2-PEDOT:PSS/PEDOT:PSS/glass CE achieves a high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 4.67%, reaching 91.39% of DSSC with Pt/FTO CE (5.11%).
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Alternate Electrical Power System with Renewable Energy Sources, School of Renewable Energy, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
- School of Energy Power and Mechanical Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Meicheng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Alternate Electrical Power System with Renewable Energy Sources, School of Renewable Energy, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
- Suzhou Institute, North China Electric Power University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Dandan Song
- State Key Laboratory of Alternate Electrical Power System with Renewable Energy Sources, School of Renewable Energy, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
- Suzhou Institute, North China Electric Power University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Peng Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Alternate Electrical Power System with Renewable Energy Sources, School of Renewable Energy, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Zhirong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Alternate Electrical Power System with Renewable Energy Sources, School of Renewable Energy, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
- Suzhou Institute, North China Electric Power University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Yan Zhao
- Chongqing Materials Research Institute, Chongqing 400707, China
| | - Chao Shen
- Chongqing Materials Research Institute, Chongqing 400707, China
| | - Zhaohuang Zhang
- School of Energy Power and Mechanical Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
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Kong J, Zhou ZJ, Li M, Zhou WH, Yuan SJ, Yao RY, Zhao Y, Wu SX. Wurtzite copper-zinc-tin sulfide as a superior counter electrode material for dye-sensitized solar cells. NANOSCALE RESEARCH LETTERS 2013; 8:464. [PMID: 24191954 PMCID: PMC4228334 DOI: 10.1186/1556-276x-8-464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2013] [Accepted: 10/26/2013] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Wurtzite and kesterite Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) nanocrystals were employed as counter electrode (CE) materials for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Compared to kesterite CZTS, the wurtzite CZTS exhibited higher electrocatalytic activity for catalyzing reduction of iodide electrolyte and better conductivity. Accordingly, the DSSC with wurtzite CZTS CE generated higher power conversion efficiency (6.89%) than that of Pt (6.23%) and kesterite CZTS (4.89%) CEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Kong
- The Key Laboratory for Special Functional Material of MOE, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Zheng-Ji Zhou
- The Key Laboratory for Special Functional Material of MOE, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Mei Li
- The Key Laboratory for Special Functional Material of MOE, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Wen-Hui Zhou
- The Key Laboratory for Special Functional Material of MOE, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Sheng-Jie Yuan
- The Key Laboratory for Special Functional Material of MOE, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Rong-Yue Yao
- The Key Laboratory for Special Functional Material of MOE, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Yang Zhao
- The Key Laboratory for Special Functional Material of MOE, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Si-Xin Wu
- The Key Laboratory for Special Functional Material of MOE, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
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Zeng W, Fang G, Li B, Liu Z, Han T, Wang J, Liu F, Fang P, Zhao X, Zou D. Vibration test method to study elastic stability of porous carbon nanocomposite counter electrode in dye sensitized solar cells. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2013; 5:7101-7108. [PMID: 23844946 DOI: 10.1021/am401422f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
An out-of-plane elastic vibration test method is developed to directly study the elastic stability of elastic Ti foil-supported porous carbon nanocomposite (CNC) counter electrode (CE) of dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The stability of CE, estimated by that of power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the CE-based DSSC device, is studied from the views of CNC morphology, equivalent resistances, exchange current density and contact model of CE. The results suggest thinner thickness and bigger interbundling degree of CNC layer is beneficial to the total internal impedance value of CE, and then beneficial to the CE stability. With optimal CNC structure, even if the CE is springed 1000 times with max amplification about 10 mm, the PCE of CE-based DSSC can remain 80% of the initial value. The test method is interesting and the results may have a potential use for elastic stability study of general elastic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Artificial Micro- and Nano-structures of Ministry of Education of China, School of Physics and Technology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, P. R. China
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