Abstract
SnO2-decorated graphene oxide (SnO2/GO) was synthesized by the modified Hummers’s method, followed by a chemical incorporation of SnO2 nanoparticles. Then, the nanocomposite was used as anon-precious counter electrode in a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). Although GO has a relatively poor electrical conductivity depending essentially on the extent of the graphite oxidation, presence of SnO2 enhanced its structural and electrochemical properties. The Pt-free counter electrode exhibited a distinct catalytic activity toward iodine reduction and a low resistance to electron transfer. Moreover, the decorated GO provided extra active sites for reducing I3− at the interface of the CE/electrolyte. In addition, the similarity of the dopant in the GO film and the fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate promoted a strong assimilation between them. Therefore, SnO2-decorated GO, as a counter electrode, revealed an enhanced photon to electron conversion efficiency of 4.57%. Consequently, the prepared SnO2/GO can be sorted as an auspicious counter electrode for DSSCs.
Highlights
The conversion of solar energy into electricity proceeds through direct or indirect routes
We report the synthesis of SnO2 -decorated graphene oxide (GO), its characterization, and application as a counter electrode in the dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC)
High resolution transmission electron microscope (TEM) (HR-TEM) image shown in Figure 1b affirms that the attached nanoparticles appear as textured crystalline mode, which indicates that these nanoparticles are SnO2 -based, highly crystalline compound
Summary
The conversion of solar energy into electricity proceeds through direct or indirect routes. The DSSC consists of a porous layer of titanium oxide nanoparticle coated with a solar sensitive organometallic dye, the counter electrode (Pt), and the working electrolyte (e.g., the redox couple I3 − /I− ). The main characteristics of the optimal CE are summarized as follows [17]: high catalytic activity, high electrical conductivity, maximum reflectivity, low-cost, large surface area, porous nature, optimal thickness, electrochemical and mechanical stability, energy level that matches the potential of the redox couple electrolyte, and high adhesivity with the FTO [17]. Doping GO with SnO2 nanoparticles may enhance the conductive properties of the GO and promote the electron transfer to the redox chattel in the DSSC. We report the synthesis of SnO2 -decorated GO, its characterization, and application as a counter electrode in the DSSC
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