Electrodes For Dye-sensitized Solar Cells Research Articles

Cost-effective carbon black-graphite composite with solid-state based CuSCN electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are less expensive and easier to manufacture than silicon-based solar cells. Due to their superior catalytic characteristics and affordability, carbon materials can be used as counter electrodes in DSSCs instead of platinum electrode. Recently, CuSCN has been widely considered a promising candidate for low-cost and high-stable hole transport material in advanced solar cells. Herein, we report the design and fabrication of dye-sensitized solar cells using carbon-graphite counter electrode with combined solid-state based copper (I) thiocyanate (CuSCN). Lab synthesized TiO2 nanoparticle with size of ∼ 30 nm and carbon black-graphite composites (CG) paste were used for the all DSSCs device fabrication. The structural, morphological and compositional details were investigated using various characterization techniques. For construction of the efficient counter electrode, the conventional expensive platinum catalyst thin film was replaced by cost effective and stable solid-state based carbon-graphite-CuSCN layer. The conventional Pt and Au counter/back electrodes raise the overall fabrication cost of commercial DSSC devices. Due to the superior catalytic capacity, simple scaling, low cost, and long-term stability, carbon-based composite shows as a promising candidate for DSSCs. The newly developed carbon black-graphite composites with CuSCN counter electrode showed improving efficiency and stability of the DSSCs. The best conversion efficiency of 8.56% was achieved using a CG composite with CuSCN-based counter electrode under AM 1.5 solar condition.

Synthesis of Carbon Nanotubes Using Modified Hummers Method for Cathode Electrodes in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell

In this research, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is prepared through the Hummers method with a slight change in some of the work steps, thus, a new method has been created for preparing carbon nanotubes which is similar to the original Hummers method that is used to prepare graphene oxide. Then, the suspension carbon nanotubes is transferred to a simple electrode position platform consisting of two electrodes and the cell body for the coating and reduction of the carbon nanotubes on ITO glass which represents the cathode electrode while platinum represents the anode electrode. The deposited layer of carbon nanotubes is examined through the scanning electron microscope technique (SEM), and the images throughout the research show the formation of carbon nanotubes. In the second part of the research, a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) is prepared to utilize carbon nanotube as the cathode electrode, titanium oxide nanoparticles as the anode electrode by using a natural dye (pomegranate dye). The assembled dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) is tested by two electrodes potentiostat using Xenon light source and all parameters are established; Vocp, Imax, Vmax, Isc and calculated full factor and conversion efficiency.

Selenization treatment on Ag8SnSxSe6-x counter electrode of dye-sensitized solar cells in improving its electron transfer and electrocatalytic activity

In this paper, Ag8SnS6 powder was synthesized by the one-pot method, then prepared into Ag8SnS6 and Selenization treated Ag8SnSxSe6-x thin films. The effects brought by the amounts of added Se powder during the annealing process on the product phases, structures, and morphologies are characterized, and the electrochemical property and the cell efficiency as assembled into the counter electrode (CEs) for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were investigated. It showed Se into the Ag8SnS6 lattice occupied the site of S to transform into Ag8SnSxSe6-x. And the thin film also became unflatten since the particles became larger after Se doping. The cell efficiency of Ag8SnSxSe6-x CEs reached 4.26%, which was increased by 28.31% compared to that of Ag8SnS6 CEs. Ag8SnSxSe6-x CEs performed lower charge transfer resistance (Rct) and (△EPP), and an increased△E value between the conduction band level of CEs and the redox potential of electrolyte. After 10 cycles, the almost unchanged cathode/anode current density implied the Ag8SnSxSe6-x CEs received good structure stability. Selenization treatment was able to facilitate electron transport and enhance the electrocatalytic activity, and as expected to be a promising method in improving the performance of the DSSCs.

A highly porous MgO entrenched MWCNT composite as a low-cost Pt-free counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells and visible light photocatalytic performance towards Congo-red

A highly porous MgO entrenched MWCNT composite as a low-cost Pt-free counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells and visible light photocatalytic performance towards Congo-red

A quaternary nanocomposite as an efficient counter electrode for Pt-free Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC)

Solar Cells are one of the most promising energy conversion sources available. But most solar cells use conventional Pt as a counter electrode (CE) which is very costly, scarce and corrosive in liquid medium. So, an alternative novel quaternary nanocomposite of rGO Reduced graphene oxide (rGO)/ Manganese dioxide (MnO2)/ Nickel oxide (NiO)/Copper oxide (CuO) (RMNCu) was employed under varied photoanodes like hydrothermally synthesized Titanium dioxide (TiO2), Zinc oxide (ZnO) and TiO2/ZnO with N-719 as dye matrix over Fluorine-doped Tin Oxide (FTO) substrate. The fabricated Dye-Sensitised Solar Cell (DSSCs) were examined under functional, optical and photovoltaic studies. It was found that the prepared DSSC with RMNCu as CE had a Power Conversion Efficiencies (PCE) of 93.31% of Pt-CE in the same ambience. The uplifted conversion efficiency promotes RMNCu as a promising candidate for counter electrodes for DSSC.

Kirkendall effect induced NiFe: WS2 core-shell nanocubes for Dye-sensitized solar cell and battery-type Supercapacitor applications

In the view of developing bi-functional electrode material for integrated electronic devices, the efficient NiFe: WS2 core-shell nanocube electrode was designed for Dye-sensitized Solar cells and Supercapacitor applications. In this work, NiFe: WS2 core-shelled nanocubes were obtained with the assistance of the Kirkendall effect under probe sonication techniques. The NiFe: WS2–2 as counter electrode in Dye-sensitized solar cells yields a power conversion efficiency of 6.4 %, which is higher than bare NiFe (1.5 %) and Platinum counter electrode (4.1 %). Whereas in Supercapacitors, NiFe: WS2–2 showed a remarkable specific capacitance performance of 670.37 F/g, at a Current density of 1 A/g, and demonstrated capacitance retention of 90.05 %, over 5000 cycles. The assembled asymmetric supercapacitor device exhibits an energy density of 56.4 Wh/kg and a power density of 1015 W/kg, at 1 A/g current density. The constructed NiFe: WS2–2//AC device exhibits capacitance retention and coulombic efficiency of 82.60 % and 97.36 %, respectively in the stability test after 6000 cycles. The above fascinating results emphasize that core-shell structured NiFe: WS2–2 is a promising electrode for Dye-sensitized solar cells and Supercapacitor application, thereby paving the way for advancement in hi-tech electronic devices.

Improvement of the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells employing NickelPalladium alloy-reduced graphene oxide counter electrode: Influence of palladium content

In this work, NickelPalladium-reduced graphene oxide (NiPd-rGO) films have been prepared via liquid phase deposition technique and used as free-platinum (Pt) counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). The effect of Pd content in term of various Ni:Pd ratios on the properties such as structure, optical transmission, surface morphology and elemental compositions have been studied. The morphology of NiPd-rGO sample is in the form of crumpled vertical folds in layers and white strips. The influence of Pd content on photovoltaic parameters of the device has also been investigated. The performance parameters were significantly influenced by the Pd content. The device using NiPd-rGO counter electrode prepared at Ni:Pd ratio of 20:2 demonstrated the highest PCE of 3.09%. This is due to the device owns the highest charge recombination resistance (Rrec) and shortest carrier transport time (τ). The efficiency has been improved at the optimum content of Pd. The finding from this work implies that NiPd-rGO is able to substitute Pt as counter electrode in DSSC due to its efficiency is comparable to that of the device employing Pt counter electrode.

Pyrolysis synthesis of CuWO4@C composite catalysts as Pt-free counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells

Transition metal compound catalysts have potential applications in Pt-free counter electrode (CE), which are one of the important strategies for reducing costs and improving power conversion efficiency (PCE) of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Herein, CuWO4@C composite catalysts were synthesized by pyrolyzing Cu-based polyoxotungstate (H3PW12O40) precursor in presence of polyaniline. The effect of pyrolysis temperature (600, 700, 800, 900, 1000 and 1100 ℃) on the compositions, morphologies and structures of CuWO4@C composite was investigated by Thermogravimetry-Derivative thermogravimetry-Differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DTG-DSC) simultaneous, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and N2 adsorption-desorption analysis. The photovoltaic properties of different CuWO4@C composites CEs were determined by photocurrent-photovoltage (J-V) measurement. The results reveal that the pyrolysis at 800 ℃ was optimum to get the best CuWO4@C composite CE, which yielded the highest PCE of 7.11% for the regeneration of I3−/I− couple in the DSSCs. The structure-activity relationship of the CuWO4@C composite catalysts was discussed.

A dye-sensitized solar cells with an efficiency of 10.01% based on the MoP/MoNiP2@Ti3C2 composite counter electrode

Transition metal phosphides are becoming a main study topic in new catalytic materials field due to their similar properties to transition metal nitrides and carbides as well as their excellent reaction activity and catalytic selectivity for deep hydrodesulfurization and hydrodenitrogenation. Mxene, a two-dimensional layered material with high specific surface area and electrical conductivity, plays an important role in accelerating catalytic reduction of triiodide ion in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). In this work, the MoP/MoNiP2 hybrid was synthesized while adopting Ti3C2 Mxene to realize the intercalation structure of composite with simple conditions, therefore enabling a formation of ‘pillared effect’ in Ti3C2 Mxene. The optimized MoP/MoNiP2@Ti3C2 composite was achieved by adjusting the doping ratio of the two. The DSSCs based on the MoP/MoNiP2@Ti3C2 catalyst with 80 wt% Ti3C2 doping reache an enhancement of power conversion efficiency of 10.01%, much higher than that of the platinum counter electrode (8.22%). Through a suite of morphological and electrochemical analyses, we summarize the reasons for the performance enhancement to the synergistic effect of the MoP/MoNiP2 hybrid and Ti3C2 Mxene, and especially, the unique intercalation structure of MoP/MoNiP2@Ti3C2 with ‘pillared effect’. The MoP/MoNiP2@Ti3C2 counter electrode with perfect electrochemical and photoelectrochemical properties is a promising alternative to the platinum electrode for DSSCs in the future.

MXene-modified electrodes and electrolytes in dye-sensitized solar cells.

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have attracted much attention as promising tools in renewable energy conversion technology. This is mainly because of their beneficial qualities, such as their impressive efficiency levels and low-cost fabrication techniques. An overview of MXene-modified electrodes in DSSCs is given in this review article. MXenes are two-dimensional (2D) transition metal carbides or nitrides with remarkable properties such as high conductivity and large surface area. MXenes' properties make them an appealing material for various applications, including energy storage, catalysis, and electronic devices. MXene integration enhances ion transport, dye adsorption, and charge transport in DSSC electrodes. In-depth analysis of the use of 2D Mxene and integration with carbon nanotubes (CNTs), reduced graphene oxide (rGO), 2D MoS2, and hybrids like 2D-2D heterostructures for electrode modification in photovoltaics (PVs), including anodes, photoanodes, composite decorated electrodes, counter electrodes (CEs), and electrolytes, is provided in this review article. The effects on the performance metrics of various deposition techniques are discussed and assessed. The use of MXene-modified electrodes in DSSCs suggests potential for enhancing the performance and efficiency of these solar cells in general. The article examines this strategy's potential advantages and implications, illuminating the fascinating advancements in the area and emphasizing MXenes' potential as a valuable substance for renewable energy applications. We also discuss the difficulties and potential benefits of using MXene-modified electrodes in DSSCs and emphasize the need for additional study to enhance stability, optimize MXene integration techniques, and enhance long-term device performance. The scalability and potential of MXene-based electrode modifications for commercial applications are also covered, addressing issues and prospects for the future, focusing on the necessity of more study. Electrodes modified with MXenes can improve DSSC performance and advance sustainable energy conversion.

Design of blueberry anthocyanin/TiO2 composite layer-based photoanode and N-doped porous blueberry-derived carbon-loaded Ni nanoparticle-based counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells.

P25/PBP (TiO2, anthocyanins) prepared by combining PBP (blueberry peels) with P25, and N-doped porous carbon-supported Ni nanoparticles (Ni@NPC-X) prepared using blueberry-derived carbon were used for the application as photoanode and the counter electrode, respectively, in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) to create a new perspective for blueberry-based photo-powered energy systems. PBP was introduced into the P25 photoanode and carbonized to form a C-like structure after annealing that improved its adsorption capacity for N719 dye, contributing a 17.3% higher power conversion efficiency (PCE) of P25/PBP-Pt (5.82%) than that of P25-Pt (4.96%). The structure of the porous carbon changes from a flat surface to a petal-like structure due to the N doping by melamine, and the specific surface area increases. N-doped three-dimensional porous carbon supported the loading and reduced the agglomeration of Ni nanoparticles, reducing the charge transfer resistance, and providing a fast electron transfer path. The doping of Ni and N on the porous carbon worked synergistically to enhance the electrocatalytic activity of the Ni@NPC-X electrode. The PCE of the DSSCs assembled by Ni@NPC-1.5 and P25/PBP was 4.86%. Also, the Ni@NPC-1.5 electrode exhibited 116.12 F g-1 and a capacitance retention rate of 98.2% (10 000 cycles), further confirming good electrocatalysis and cycle stability.

Facile synthesis of NiS nanowires via ion exchange reaction as an efficient counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells

This paper proposes a strategy for the facile preparation of NiS nanowires via ion exchange reaction. This special synthesis process enables NiS nanowires to form a tightly connected network of transported electrons and a hierarchical porous structure with a large specific surface area.

Iridium-palladium binary alloy as a counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells.

This study is concerned with the iridium-palladium (Ir-Pd) binary alloy as a counter electrode (CE) for DSSC. The CE was prepared using the liquid phase deposition (LPD) technique. The influence of the concentration of hydrogen hexachloroiridate(IV) hydrate (H2Cl6Ir·H2O) on the properties and the performance of the device was investigated. The source of iridium was H2Cl6Ir·H2O. XRD analysis confirmed that the dominant phase of Ir-Pd existed in the sample. The grain size of Ir-Pd increased with the increase in the concentration of H2Cl6Ir·H2O until an optimum concentration of 0.7 mM was reached. The % wt of Ir was found to increase with the concentration of H2Cl6Ir·H2O. The device utilizing Ir-Pd CE with 0.7 mM H2Cl6Ir·H2O demonstrated the highest power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 5.84%, beating that of the device with Pt CE having a PCE of 5.04%. This is because the device possesses the lowest charge transfer resistance (Rct), highest recombination resistance (Rcr), and longest carrier lifetime (τ), and the device possesses the highest reduction current (Jpc) and incident-photon conversion efficiency (IPCE). The PCE was significantly affected by Ir content in the binary alloy of Ir-Pd. According to the PCE result, Ir-Pd CE was found as a suitable substitution for Pt as CE for the device.

Tuning TiO2 Porosity of Multilayered Photoanode Towards Enhanced Performance of Dye Sensitized Solar Cell

In this paper, we prepared Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) based dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC). Downscaling of commercial TiO2 powder have been achieved by systematic ball milling carried out using home-made ball milling device. Thin films were prepared and samples were characterized by XRD, SEM, UV-Vis and I-V. The main objective of this work is to prepare TiO2 based (DSSC) using N3 dye and study the effect of the TiO2 grain size inside the photoanode layer on the efficiency of the solar cell. UV-vis study of nanometer sized TiO2 particles showed that the energy gab has shifted towards the lower wavelength in electromagnetic spectrum (blue shift), and then optical band gap is an indirect and allowed transition. Energy gap calculations of related grain size of showed quantum confinement effect. A sophisticated strategy for TiO2 films consisting of tailoring monolayer, bilayer and trilayer of mixed multisized nanoparticles were adopted and investigated as DSSC electrodes. Our results showed that the dye sensitized solar cells can be substantially altered due to the designs and the particle size distributions of the TiO2 photoelectrode. The maximum efficiency of 0.5% was reached by TiO2 photoelectrode designed as a trilayer with a particles of wide size distribution from about 12 to 340 nm in the middle layer. The approach of light scattering in submicrometer‐sized TiO2 nanoparticles aggregates was adopted in order to interpret the enhancement of our DSSC efficiency over extending the length transported by electromagnetic wave hence to promote the light acquiring efficiency of photoelectrode thin film. The relatively larger particle sizes afford the TiO2 films with both better packing and an increased capability for scattering of the incident electromagnetic wave, and hence improves our DSSC efficiency.

Spin-coating of Graphene Oxide as Counter Electrode for Dye-sensitized Solar Cells in Various Dispersing Solvents

Platinum (Pt) is the most commonly used counter electrode material for DSSCs. However, as Pt is a noble metal and expensive, researchers have tried to replace the Pt counter electrode with a variety of materials. In this study, graphene oxide (GO) powders were added to solvents of different polarities as precursor solutions for the counter electrode. The solvents were deionized water, dimethylformamide, isopropanol, and chlorobenzene in descending order of polarity. The prepared GO precursor solutions were coated on the Florine doped Tin Oxide (FTO) glass substrate via spin coating, then coated substrate subjected to thermal reduction reaction to obtain reduced graphene oxide, which was used as the counter electrode of the DSSC. The photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) of DSSC using deionized water as the dispersing solvent was 2.70%, which was five times higher than that of DSSC using chlorobenzene.

Characterization of PAN-TiO2 Nanofiber Mats and their Application as Front Electrodes for Dye-sensitized Solar Cells

In the context of the energy transition to renewables, the spotlight is on large systems connected to the power grid, but this also offers room for smaller, more specialized applications. Photovoltaics, in particular, offer the possibility of the self-sufficient supply of smaller electrical appliances on smaller scales. The idea of making previously unused surfaces usable is by no means new, and textiles such as backpacks, tent tarpaulins and other covers are particularly suitable for this purpose. In order to create a non-toxic and easily recyclable product, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC), which can be manufactured through electrospinning with a textile feel, are an attractive option here. Therefore, this paper investigates a needle electrospun nanofiber mat, whose spin solution contains polyacrylonitrile (PAN) dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as well es TiO2 nanoparticles. In addition to characterization, the nanofiber mat was dyed in a solution containing anthocyanins to later serve as a front electrode for a dye-sensitized solar cell. Although of lower efficiency, the DSSC provides stable results over two months of measurement.

Synthesis of lignite-based Ni/C composite with low-medium temperature pyrolysis method as an efficient Pt-free counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells

In order to obtain inexpensive Pt-free counter electrode materials for dye-sensitized solar cells and expand the application fields of low-rank coal, lignite-based Ni/C composite was prepared by low-medium temperature pyrolysis method using Huolinhe lignite as raw materials. The structure and chemical components of as-synthesized lignite-based Ni/C composite was characterized by XRD, FT-IR, TG, Raman, SEM, TEM, and XPS, and the electrocatalytic activity of lignite-based Ni/C composite counter electrode was investigated by cyclic voltammetric curve, electrochemical impedance spectrum, and Tafel polarization curve. It is found that the electrocatalytic activity of the lignite was improved after low-medium temperature pyrolysis and composited with Ni species to form lignite-based Ni/C composite, which helps to catalyze the reduction of electrolyte and thus improve the photoelectric conversion efficiency of the solar cells. The photoelectric conversion efficiency (η) of the dye-sensitized solar cells based on the lignite-based Ni/C composite counter electrode was 3.42% (Jsc = 11.49 mA cm−2, Voc = 0.75 V, FF = 0.40) significantly higher than that of the lignite counter electrode (η = 0.20%, Jsc = 3.16 mA cm−2, Voc = 0.72 V, FF = 0.09). This indicates that low-medium temperature pyrolysis and composition with Ni are an effective method to improve the photovoltaic performance of lignite-based counter electrode materials.Graphical abstractThe lignite-based Ni/C composite was synthesized and applied in counter electrode for DSSCs.

Eco-friendly direct-current pulsed electropolymerization of polyaniline nanofibers on synthetic graphite substrate for counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells

ABSTRACT This paper reports the study of the effect of varying duty cycles on the synthesis of PANI by pulsed electropolymerization method to the performance of PANI as a counter electrode in DSSC. The deposited PANI is in emeraldine salt form, confirmed by FTIR-ATR and Raman spectroscopy. SEM analysis observed that all PANIs has nanofiber morphology. PANI with a 10% duty cycle provides the smallest average diameters and lowest film thickness (11.56 μm), lowest RCT (59.00 Ω), lowest RS (40.06 Ω), highest VOC (0.688 V), and highest JSC (9.066 mA cm−2) that lead to the highest performance (η = 2.402%).

Facile synthesis of cobalt sulfide/carbon nanotube composites as a low-cost Pt-free counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs)

In this work, a nanocomposite of CoS2 with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) has been prepared using simple hydrothermal technique. Further, CoS2/CNT composite was charecterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and N2 adsorption-desorption to study the crystallinity, surface morphology chemical composition with chemical states and textural properties, respectively. The cyclic voltammetric tests recorded an enhanced electrocatalytic activity when the CoS2 was deposited onto the surface of the MWCNTs. Additionally, consecutive cyclic voltammetric tests demonstrated that the CE possessed excellent electrochemical stability. Thus, the DSSC assembled with CoS2/MWCNT CE showed an enhanced photovoltaic conversion efficiency of 8.85 ± 0.03 % (compared to 1.84 ± 0.03 % for DSSCs with MWCNT CE or 2.87 ± 0.04 % for CoS2 CE alone) under full sunlight illumination (100 mW cm−2, AM1.5 G) due to the superior electrocatalytic activity of the out-shell CoS2 material and highly specific surface of the MWCNTs. Therefore, the CoS2/MWCNT composite can be considered as a promising alternative CE for use in low-cost DSSCs.

Tungsten Phosphide Microsheets In‐Situ Grown on Carbon Fiber as Counter Electrode Catalyst for Efficient Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

AbstractThe development of low‐cost, green, and pollution‐free counter electrode materials with high catalytic activity plays a critical role in improving the photovoltaic performance of dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). In recent years, transition metal phosphides have been widely used in DSSCs due to their outstanding catalytic activity and stability. Herein, a novel binary phosphide is immobilized on carbon paper (CP) by a two‐step strategy. This strategy involves the preparation of WO3 precursor by the hydrothermal method, and synthesis of tungsten phosphide (WP) with the vapor deposition method, which finally leads to the uniform dispersion of WP on carbon paper. The acquired WP/CP counter electrode demonstrates high electrical conductivity and prefect catalytic ability for reducing triiodide, and the DSSCs assembled with WP/CP counter electrode achieve a high‐power conversion efficiency of 10.29%, which is superior to that of the Pt‐based (7.34%). These findings illustrate that the WP microsheets in‐situ grown on carbon paper are a potential candidate to replace Pt as an economical and efficient counter electrode for DSSCs.