Electroactive Electrodeposited Platinum Nanoparticles and Platinum NPs/Graphite Electrodes for Photovoltaic Application

Abstract

In this work, electroplating is used to deposit platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs) on a transparent conductive oxide substrate (TCO glass) as an alternative simple and low-cost technique compared to sputtering. The used platinum salt is cost effective, and a general purpose grade can be used for large-scale manufacturing. In order to study the effects of deposition method of platinum on the electrode performance, two electrochemical deposition techniques are investigated (chronoamperometry and cyclic voltammetery) to deposit platinum using the same initial materials. Also, the effect of modifying the platinum counter electrode surface by deposition of a graphite thin layer by simple technique was investigated. Finally, Pt(NPs) and Pt(NPs)/graphite electrodes were used to assemble dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), and the cell with structure [TCO/TiO2/N719 Ru dye/electrolyte I3/I− redox/platinum NPs/graphite/TCO] yields output photovoltaic parameters of open circuit voltage, current density, fill factor and the highest efficiency with values of 0.65 V, 29.2 mA/cm2, 0.41, 7.9%, respectively.