An Efficient Metal Conductor Paste/Nanoporous Carbon Composite Counter Electrode for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

2011 ◽  
Vol 347-353 ◽  
pp. 390-393 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shun Jian Xu ◽  
Yu Feng Luo ◽  
Wei Zhong ◽  
Guan Jun Qiao
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Counter Electrode ◽  
Electrochemical Impedance ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽  
Nanoporous Carbon ◽  
Charge Transfer Resistance ◽  
Transfer Resistance ◽  
Dye Sensitized ◽  
Sensitized Solar Cells

A novel counter electrode has been fabricated at low temperature using nanoporous carbon (NC) with about 35 nm pore size as based catalysis materials and silver conductor paste (SCP) as connecting adhesive. The efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) employing this SCP/NC electrode reaches to 5.91%, which is 15% higher than that of DSCs with NC electrode. The improved efficiency is attributed to the enhancement in the fill factor and the short circuit photocurrent density. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy reveals that all of charge transfer resistance, ohmic serial resistance and Nernst diffusion impedance of SCP/NC electrode decrease compared with NC electrode. Especially, the efficiency of 5.91% is comparable to that of DSCs with Pt electrode.

A Light Harvesting Policy on Black Counter Electrode for Enhanced Performance of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

2013 ◽  
Vol 136 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chi-Hui Chien ◽  
Ming-Lang Tsai ◽  
Chi-Chang Hsieh ◽  
Yan-Huei Li ◽  
Yuh J. Chao
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Counter Electrode ◽  
Light Harvesting ◽  
Electrochemical Impedance ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽  
Tio2 Electrode ◽  
Electrochemical Impedance Spectra ◽  
Transfer Resistance ◽  
Dye Sensitized ◽  
Sensitized Solar Cells

This work presents a novel light harvesting policy for a black counter electrode (BCE) to enhance the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), which uses a metal-based light scattering layer (MLSL) that is formed from Al@SiO2 core-shell microflakes prepared and coated on BCE. DSSCs based on BCE with and without the MLSL are compared as well. Analysis results of electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS) indicate that, while not affecting the charge transfer resistance at BCE, MLSL exhibits a low electron transport resistance in the TiO2/electrolyte interface. Our results further demonstrate that MLSL reflects light to the TiO2 electrode, subsequently increasing photocurrent density by 68.68% (from 2.65 to 4.47 mA/cm2) and improving the power conversion efficiency by 49.64%.

scholarly journals Preparation of Nano-Ag-TiO2 Composites by Co-60 Gamma Irradiation to Enhance the Photocurrent of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Le Thanh Nguyen Huynh ◽  
Viet Hai Le ◽  
Thanh Long Vo ◽  
Thi Kim Lan Nguyen ◽  
Quoc Hien Nguyen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Charge Transfer ◽  
Electrochemical Impedance ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽  
Energy Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Charge Transfer Resistance ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Transfer Resistance ◽  
Dye Sensitized ◽  
Sensitized Solar Cells

Nano-silver-titanium dioxide (Ag-TiO2) composites were prepared from commercial TiO2 (P25, Degussa) and silver nitrate (AgNO3) by gamma Co-60 irradiation method with various initial concentrations of AgNO3. The nano-AgTiO2 composites are utilized as the photoanode for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). Under full sunlight illumination (1000 W/m2, AM 1.5), the efficiency of DSCs has improved significantly despite the Ag content of below 1%. The DSC—assembled with 0.75 Ag-TiO2 (0.75% Ag) photoanode—showed that the photocurrent was significantly enhanced from 8.1 mA.cm−2 to 9.5 mA.cm−2 compared to the DSCs using bared TiO2 photoanode. The unchanged open-circuit voltage resulted in the overall energy conversion efficiency to be increased by 25% from 3.75% to 4.86%. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis showed that the charge transfer resistance is reduced when increasing Ag content, demonstrating that the charge transfer at TiO2/dye interface was enhanced in the presence of silver nanoparticles.

scholarly journals Electrolyte Tuning in Iron(II)-Based Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells: Different Ionic Liquids and I2 Concentrations

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (11) ◽  
pp. 3053
Author(s):  
Mariia Becker ◽  
Catherine E. Housecroft ◽  
Edwin C. Constable
Keyword(s):  
Ionic Liquids ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Counter Electrode ◽  
Electrochemical Impedance ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽  
Diffusion Resistance ◽  
Transfer Resistance ◽  
Dye Sensitized ◽  
Average Maximum ◽  
Sensitized Solar Cells

The effects of different I2 concentrations and different ionic liquids (ILs) in the electrolyte on the performances of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) containing an iron(II) N-heterocyclic carbene dye and containing the I–/I3– redox shuttle have been investigated. Either no I2 was added to the electrolyte, or the initial I2 concentrations were 0.02, 0.05, 0.10, and 0.20 M. The short-circuit current density (JSC), open-circuit voltage (VOC), and the fill factor (ff) were influenced by changes in the I2 concentration for all the ILs. For 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazole iodide (HMII), low VOC and low ff values led to poor DSC performances. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) showed the causes to be increased electrolyte diffusion resistance and charge transfer resistance at the counter electrode. DSCs containing 1,3-dimethylimidazole iodide (DMII) and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazole iodide (EMII) showed the highest JSC values when 0.10 M I2 was present initially. Short alkyl substituents (Me and Et) were more beneficial than longer chains. The lowest values of the transport resistance in the photoanode semiconductor were found for DMII, EMII, and 1-propyl-2,3-dimethylimidazole iodide (PDMII) when no I2 was added to the initial electrolyte, or when [I2] was less than 0.05 M. Higher [I2] led to decreases in the diffusion resistance in the electrolyte and the counter electrode resistance. The electron lifetime and diffusion length depended upon the [I2]. Overall, DMII was the most beneficial IL. A combination of DMII and 0.1 M I2 in the electrolyte produced the best performing DSCs with an average maximum photoconversion efficiency of 0.65% for a series of fully-masked cells.

Electrochemical Exfoliation of Graphene Flake Embedded in SiNWs as Counter Electrode for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

NANO ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 1750146
Author(s):  
Bairui Tao ◽  
Rui Miao ◽  
Wenyi Wu ◽  
Fengjuan Miao
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Counter Electrode ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
3D Structure ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Electrochemical Exfoliation ◽  
Transfer Resistance ◽  
Dye Sensitized ◽  
Sensitized Solar Cells

In this paper, a three-dimensional graphene wrapped silicon nanowire (SiNWs) architecture was synthesized by electrochemical exfoliation method and proposed to be the counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The results show that the few high-quality layers of graphene sheets have been obtained by electrochemical exfoliation method. The size of graphene is distributed from 550[Formula: see text]nm to 650[Formula: see text]nm, appropriately dispersed onto the SiNW supporter. The graphene/SiNW nanostructure still vertically aligned to the substrate finely. The channel between each wire is clear. The fabricated graphene/SiNWs electrode is a promising structure for future applications. The performance of the graphene/SiNWs as the counter electrode is found to be dependent on its dispersion in the whole backbone, with better dispersion offering more surface areas for the catalytic reduction reaction. Electrochemical tests reveal that the DSSC with graphene/SiNWs exhibits higher electro-catalytic activity and lower charge transfer resistance, suggesting that the 3D structure presents a potential way to fabricate low-cost, integrated and metal-free counter electrode for high-performance DSSCs. The DSSC based on graphene/SiNWs has an open-circuit voltage ([Formula: see text]) of 738.11[Formula: see text]mV, short-circuit current density ([Formula: see text]) of 15.48[Formula: see text]mA cm[Formula: see text], fill factor (FF) of 0.67 and conversion efficiency ([Formula: see text]) of 7.66%.

Effects of Activated Carbon Counter Electrode on Bifacial Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs)

2021 ◽  
Vol 1016 ◽  
pp. 863-868
Author(s):  
Tika Erna Putri ◽  
Yuan Hao ◽  
Fadzai Lesley Chawarambwa ◽  
Hyunwoong Seo ◽  
Min Kyu Son ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Activated Carbon ◽  
Counter Electrode ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Optical Losses ◽  
Dye Sensitized ◽  
Sensitized Solar Cells

The losses of solar cells are consisted of electrical losses and optical losses. Optical losses chiefly reduce the short-circuit current. Here we apply bifacial cell approach to increase light absorption and the short-circuit current of dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). We have employed activated carbon (AC) as a very low cost counter electrode, an alternative to Pt counter electrode. Addition of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and titanium carbonitride (TiCN) to AC increase the efficiency of bifacial DSSC at a mirror angle of from 5.10% to and , respectively. These results indicate that AC has the potential to replace Pt as a very low cost counter electrode of bifacial DSSCs. The bifacial DSSC system using double plane mirrors improve PCE to for Pt counter electrode at a mirror angle of , and for AC counter electrode at a mirror angle of , respectively.

scholarly journals Electrochemical, Structural and Morphological Characterization of Hydrothermally Fabricated Binary Palladium Alloys PdCo and PdNi

Metals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 796
Author(s):  
Edson Meyer ◽  
Raymond Taziwa ◽  
Dorcas Mutukwa ◽  
Nyengerai Zingwe
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Charge Transfer ◽  
Binary Alloys ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽  
Charge Transfer Resistance ◽  
Palladium Alloys ◽  
Transfer Resistance ◽  
Dye Sensitized ◽  
Sensitized Solar Cells

This article details the development and characterization of binary palladium alloys synthesized via a hydrothermal process. Palladium alloys, being good redox catalysts, could potentially replace platinum in many applications such as in dye sensitized solar cells, capacitors and vehicular catalytic converters where platinum is vital for maximum productivity. A good replacement should be cheap, readily available and be able to offer comparable catalytic activity to that of platinum. As such we hereby attempt to hydrothermally fabricate and characterize binary palladium alloys PdNi and PdCo that could be ideal replacements for platinum. XRD analysis of the as-synthesized binary alloys revealed the existence of only palladium peaks at 2θ values of 40.1°, 46.7°, 68.1°, 82.1° and 86.6°, indicative of the successful formation of the binary alloys. SEM micrographs revealed that both alloys consisted of spherical particles with PdCo agglomerating to an extent, whereas PdNi was widely distributed, thus it could enhance electrolyte adsorption during catalytic reduction reactions. Cyclic voltammetry analysis at 50 mV∙s−1 revealed that PdNi is more electrocatalytically active with a reduction current density of 41 mA∙cm−2 compared to 18 mA∙cm−2 for PdCo. Lower charge transfer resistance from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy confirmed the superior catalytic ability of PdNi. The two palladium alloys also produced maximum specific capacitances of 68 and 27 F∙g−1 for PdNi and PdCo respectively. Analysis of the sample stability yielded coulombic efficiency retention of 98.7 and 97% for PdNi and PdCo respectively after 1000 cycles. Results obtained have shown that the palladium alloys with their low charge transfer resistance could be ideal replacements for platinum in dye sensitized solar cells. Modest specific capacitance for PdNi illustrates its potential as an electrode catalyst in capacitors.

scholarly journals There Is a Future for N-Heterocyclic Carbene Iron(II) Dyes in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells: Improving Performance through Changes in the Electrolyte

Materials ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (24) ◽  
pp. 4181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariia Karpacheva ◽  
Vanessa Wyss ◽  
Catherine E. Housecroft ◽  
Edwin C. Constable
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Alkyl Chain ◽  
Electrochemical Impedance ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Ion Concentration ◽  
Dye Sensitized ◽  
Sensitized Solar Cells

By systematic tuning of the components of the electrolyte, the performances of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) with an N-heterocyclic carbene iron(II) dye have been significantly improved. The beneficial effects of an increased Li+ ion concentration in the electrolyte lead to photoconversion efficiencies (PCEs) up to 0.66% for fully masked cells (representing 11.8% relative to 100% set for N719) and an external quantum efficiency maximum (EQEmax) up to approximately 25% due to an increased short-circuit current density (JSC). A study of the effects of varying the length of the alkyl chain in 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium iodide ionic liquids (ILs) shows that a longer chain results in an increase in JSC with an overall efficiency up to 0.61% (10.9% relative to N719 set at 100%) on going from n-methyl to n-butyl chain, although an n-hexyl chain leads to no further gain in PCE. The results of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) support the trends in JSC and open-circuit voltage (VOC) parameters. A change in the counterion from I− to [BF4]− for 1-propyl-3-methylimidazolium iodide ionic liquid leads to DSCs with a remarkably high JSC value for an N-heterocyclic carbene iron(II) dye of 4.90 mA cm−2, but a low VOC of 244 mV. Our investigations have shown that an increased concentration of Li+ in combination with an optimized alkyl chain length in the 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium iodide IL in the electrolyte leads to iron(II)-sensitized DSC performances comparable with those of containing some copper(I)-based dyes.

An in situ polymerized PEDOT/Fe3O4 composite as a Pt-free counter electrode for highly efficient dye sensitized solar cells

RSC Advances ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 1637-1643 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min Zheng ◽  
Jinghao Huo ◽  
Yongguang Tu ◽  
Jinbiao Jia ◽  
Jihuai Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Counter Electrode ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽  
Charge Transfer Resistance ◽  
High Power Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Transfer Resistance ◽  
Dye Sensitized ◽  
Large Active Area ◽  
Low Charge ◽  
Sensitized Solar Cells

PEDOT/Fe3O4 hybrid is in situ polymerized and used as Pt-free counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cell. Owing to large active area and low charge transfer resistance for the hybrid, the cell achieves a high power conversion efficiency of 8.69%.

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