Graphenated carbon nanotubes-based counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells
The counter electrode is one of the most critical components in the dyesensitized solar cell (DSSC). It catalyzes the reduction of iodide/tri-iodide in the electrolyte, bringing the electrons from external loads connected to the cells. A conventional platinum counter electrode is extensively used...
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2023
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/118469/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/118469/1/118469.pdf |
| Summary: | The counter electrode is one of the most critical components in the dyesensitized
solar cell (DSSC). It catalyzes the reduction of iodide/tri-iodide in the
electrolyte, bringing the electrons from external loads connected to the cells. A
conventional platinum counter electrode is extensively used; however, the
concern with platinum-based is that expose to corrosion in an iodine-based
electrolyte, which affects the long-term stability of the cell. Therefore, using the
carbon-based material to replace the platinum-based in DSSC can address the
mentioned problems. This work synthesized a graphenated-carbon nanotube (g-
CNT) via the floating-catalyst chemical vapor deposition method. Then, the g-
CNT paste was prepared and deposited for the counter electrode. The
morphological results revealed that the g-CNT8 obtained 34.5 S/cm, forming a
highly conductive network due to graphene foliates at the sidewalls of CNT. This
excellent finding is due to the hybrid structure of the g-CNT8, which provides a
high defect structure that creates efficient electron transfer in the materials
resulting in higher conductivity. For the counter electrode DSSC, briefly,
GCC500 film provided good electrical conductivity of 6.28 S/cm. In addition, the
GCC500 counter electrode offered excellent catalytic activity for the
iodide/triiodide reaction. That is a significant feature in employing counter
electrodes to enhance DSSC performance. Furthermore, the DSSC-based
GCC500 exhibited 5.68 % of photovoltaic conversion energy, much higher than
platinum (3.79 %). Therefore, the GCC500 is an excellent candidate to replace
the conventional platinum as a counter electrode in DSSC. |
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