Dye-sensitized solar cell utilizing silver-reduced graphene oxide film counter electrode: effect of silver content on its performance

Abstract

This paper reports the use of silver-reduced graphene oxide (rGO) films as counter electrode in a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). The effect of silver content in terms of silver nitrate (AgNO3) concentration on the properties of rGO and photovoltaic parameters of the device has been investigated. The samples are crystalline with the existence of GO and silver phases. The samples comprise of conductive and non-conductive region represented by white strip and dark region, respectively. The optical transmission varies with the AgNO3 concentration. It was found that the short-circuit current density (JSC) increases with the AgNO3 concentration until the optimum concentration of 0.2 M. The DSSC utilizing the sample prepared using 0.20 M AgNO3 demonstrated the highest JSC and η of 2.583 mA cm−2 and 0.428%, respectively, due to the smallest bulk resistance and charge-transfer resistance at the interface of electrolyte/silver-doped rGO counter electrode.