Metal chalcogenide complex-mediated fabrication of Cu2S film as counter electrode in quantum dot sensitized solar cells

Cu2S film onto FTO glass substrate was obtained to function as counter electrode for polysulfide redox reactions in CdS/CdSe co-sensitized solar cells by sintering after spraying a metal chalcogenide complex, N4H9Cu7S4 solution. Relative to Pt counter electrode, the Cu2S counter electrode provides greater electrocatalytic activity and lower charge transfer resistance. The prepared Cu2S counter electrode represented nanoflower-like porous film which was composed of Cu2S nanosheets on FTO and had a higher surface area and lower sheet resistance than that of sulfided brass Cu2S counter electrode. An energy conversion efficiency of 3.62% was achieved using the metal chalcogenide complex-mediated fabricated Cu2S counter electrode for CdS/CdSe co-sensitized solar cells under 1 sun, AM 1.5 illumination.     

Influence of highly efficient PbS counter electrode on photovoltaic performance of CdSe quantum dots-sensitized solar cells

PbS electrode with high catalytic activity to S_n ^2? reduction certificated by the measurements of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry was prepared by a simple method. The high catalytic activity makes it be a low-cost alternative counter electrode to platinum (Pt) to be used in quantum dots-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) based on polysulfide electrolyte. The photovoltaic performance enhancement of the quantum dots (QDs)-sensitized semiconductor thin films due to the PbS counter electrode was evaluated by fabricating QDSSCs based on CdSe QDs-sensitized ZnO (SnO₂) thin film. CdSe QDs-sensitized ZnO thin film has the lower internal total series resistance and electron transmission time, the higher electron lifetime and electron collection efficiency than the CdSe QDs-sensitized SnO₂ thin film. Replacing the Pt counter electrode with the PbS counter electrode leads to more improvement on the short circuit photocurrent density for QDSSC based on the ZnO thin film than the SnO₂ thin film. Therefore, the process to limit the photovoltaic performance of CdSe QDs-sensitized solar cell and the possible way to improve the photovoltaic performance were analyzed.     

Room temperature polymerization of poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) as transparent counter electrodes for dye‐sensitized solar cells

Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) counter electrode is prepared with in situ polymerization of 3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene on a fluorine‐doped tin oxide over‐layer glass at room temperature. The cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and Tafel polarization are measured to evaluate the catalytic activity of PEDOT counter electrode for I₃^?/I^? redox couple. Comparing the data with that of traditional thermal decomposed Pt counter electrode, it is found that PEDOT has higher catalytic activity than that of Pt counterpart. Power conversion efficiency of the dye‐sensitized solar cell (DSC) with PEDOT counter electrode can attain to 7.713%, a little higher than that of the cell with Pt counter electrode (7.300%). Taking the advantage of high transparency of PEDOT counter electrode, an Ag mirror is put on the back side of PEDOT counter electrode of the DSC to reflect light back for power conversion. Power conversion efficiency of the DSC with this special structure can be further enhanced to 8.359%, which mainly stems from the improved short‐circuit current density by the increased irradiated light intensity. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Enhanced Electrocatalytic Performance of a Porous g‐C3N4/Graphene Composite as a Counter Electrode for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

A porous graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C₃N₄)/graphene composite was prepared by a simple hydrothermal method and explored as the counter electrode of dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSCs). The obtained g‐C₃N₄/graphene composite was characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, FTIR spectroscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results show that incorporating graphene nanosheets into g‐C₃N₄ forms a three‐dimensional architecture with a high surface area, porous structure, efficient electron‐transport network, and fast charge‐transfer kinetics at the g‐C₃N₄/graphene interfaces. These properties result in more electrocatalytic active sites and facilitate electrolyte diffusion and electron transport in the porous framework. As a result, the as‐prepared porous g‐C₃N₄/graphene composite exhibits an excellent electrocatalytic activity. In I^?/I₃^? redox electrolyte, the charge‐transfer resistance of the porous g‐C₃N₄/graphene composite electrode is 1.8 Ω cm², which is much lower than those of individual g‐C₃N₄ (70.1 Ω cm²) and graphene (32.4 Ω cm²) electrodes. This enhanced electrocatalytic performance is beneficial for improving the photovoltaic performance of DSCs. By employing the porous g‐C₃N₄/graphene composite as the counter electrode, the DSC achieves a conversion efficiency of 7.13 %. This efficiency is comparable to 7.37 % for a cell with a platinum counter electrode.     

A Novel Improved Method to Increase the Efficiency of Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

A novel improved method which employs a reflective mirror at the back of the Pt counter electrode is used in dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSC). The direction of the light propagation in the cells was changed because of adding a mirror and the light reflected back into the DSSC in order to enhance the optical absorption of the DSSCs. Therefore, the performance of the cells was improved distinctively. The TiO₂ electrodes were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and I‐V properties of the cells measured by Linear Sweep Voltammetry system. The results indicates that the conversion efficiency can be increased from 4.81% to 5.43% under AM 1.5 illumination when a mirror is added at the back of the Pt counter electrode in the same cell. Meanwhile, the Jsc, Voc and the fill factor can be obtained 18.65 mA/cm², 0.728 V and 0.561, respectively.     

Enhancement of the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cell with multi-wall carbon nanotubes/polythiophene composite counter electrodes prepared by electrodeposition

For the purpose of increasing the energy conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/polythiophene (PTh) composite film counter electrode has been fabricated by electrophoresis and cyclic voltammetry (CV) in sequence. The morphology and chemical structure have been characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Raman spectroscopy respectively. The overall energy conversion efficiency of the DSSC employing the MWCNT/PTh composite film has reached 4.72%, which is close to that of the DSSC with a platinum (Pt) counter electrode (5.68%). Compared with a standard DSSC with MWCNT counter electrode whose efficiency is 2.68%, the energy conversion efficiency has been increased by 76.12% for the DSSC with MWCNT/PTh counter electrode. These results indicate that the composite film with high conductivity, high active surface area, and good catalytic properties for I₃⁻ reduction can potentially be used as the counter electrode in a high-performance DSSC.     

High-performance Pt-NiO nanosheet-based counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells

High-performance counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are fabricated with platinum-nickel oxide (Pt-NiO) nanosheets as catalytic materials. Firstly, the Pt-Ni nanosheets are synthesized via galvanic replacement reaction between pre-synthesized Ni nanosheets and an aqueous H₂PtCl₆ solution. Secondly, after thermal treatment in air, the Pt-Ni alloys are turned to Pt-NiO nanosheets. The related data of cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and Tafel polarization reveal that Pt-NiO counter electrodes show highly catalytic activity and low charge transfer resistance. The DSSC with Pt-NiO counter electrode exhibits power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 8.40 %, which is lower than that of the DSSC containing commercial available Pt counter electrode (9.15 %) under full sunlight illumination (100 mW cm^?2, AM1.5G). However, owing to the extremely high transparency of Pt-NiO counter electrode, when putting an Ag mirror behind the back side of the DSSC, the reflected light can bring great enhanced PCE (11.27 %).     

A novel photoelectrochemical hydrogen peroxide sensor based on nickel(II)-potassium hexacyanoferrate-graphene hybrid materials modified n-silicon electrode

A platinum (Pt) film coated n-silicon (Pt/n-n⁺-Si) was modified with nickel(II)-potassium hexacyanoferrate (NiHCF)-graphene sheets (GS) hybrid and used as a photo-electrochemical (PEC) sensor for non-enzyme hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) detection. A NiHCF film was deposited on the surface of GS/Pt/n-n⁺-Si electrode by chemical method. The structure and composition of the NiHCF film was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). PEC behavior of the NiHCF-GS/Pt/n-n⁺-Si electrode was investigated using cyclic voltammetry (CV) under illumination. The modified electrode has been used as PEC sensor for H₂O₂ detection with a linear range of 2.0 × 10^?6–2.9 × 10^?3 M and a detection limit of 1.0 × 10^?6 M at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3 in a two-electrode cell with a Pt plate as counter electrode. The characteristics of GS layer have been discussed in both the improvement of sensibility and selectivity.     

Spectroscopic and impedance studies of reverse biased degraded dye solar cells

The work that is presented here is focused on the results that were obtained during studies of the performance of dye solar cells under certain reverse bias conditions. This reverse voltage could permanently modify or damage a cell if it is not properly protected. Various techniques were employed to determine the physical changes in the cell. It was found that a cell that was subjected to a reverse bias of 2?V for 500?min showed a 58% recovery. The UV-vis spectra showed a blue shift (higher energy), the Raman showed no peak at 1,713?cm^?1 and the FT-IR showed the disappearance of the S-C-N absorption band at 2,100?cm^?1. The combined conclusion is that the NCS ligand has been depleted and replaced with I ₃ ^? ions. Nyquist and Bode plots showed an increase in the charge transfer resistance at the counter electrode. This indicates a partial oxidation of the Pt catalyst on the counter electrode. The changes in the cell after being subjected to a reverse bias potential of 2?V for 500?min are changes on the NCS bonds on the Ru containing dye as well as the Pt on the counter electrode.     

High dispersion Pt nanoparticles using mesoporous carbon support for enhancing conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells

<正>Mesoporous carbon(MC) with surface area of 380 m~2/g was prepared and employed as the carbon support of Pt catalyst for counter electrode of dye-sensitized solar cells.Pt/MC samples containing 1 wt%Pt were prepared by reducing chloroplatinic acid on MC using wet impregnation.It was found that Pt nanoparticles were uniform in size and highly dispersed on MC supports.The average size of Pt nanoparticles is about 3.4 nm.Pt/MC electrodes were fabricated by coating Pt/MC samples on fluorine-doped tin oxide glass.The overall conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells with Pt/MC counter electrode is 6.62%,which is higher than that of the cells with conventional Pt counter electrode in the same conditions.     

Organic Photovoltaic Cells with Improved Performance Using Bathophenanthroline as a Buffer Layer

The role of bathophenanthroline (Bphen) as a buffer layer inserted between fullerene (C₆₀) and Ag cathode in organic photovoltaic (OPV) cell was discussed. By introducing Bphen as a buffer layer with thicknes from 0 to 2.5 nm, the power conversion efficiency of the OPV cell based on copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) and C₆₀ was increased from 0.87% to 2.25% under AM 1.5 solar illumination at an intensity of 100 mW/cm², which was higher than that of bathocuproine used as a buffer layer. The photocurrent-voltage characteristics showed that Bphen effectively improves electron transport through C₆₀ layer into Ag electrode and leads to balance charge carrier transport capability. The influence of Bphen thickness on OPV cells was also investigated. Furthermore, the absorption spectrum shows that an additional Bphen layer enhances the light harvest capability of CuPc/C₆₀.     

CoS制备方法研究及在染料敏化电池中应用

通过简单的气-固反应法在氟掺杂的氧化锡导电玻璃(FTO)上成功制备了CoS对电极,并通过优化工艺,进一步确认了制备CoS的最佳浓度。通过扫面电子显微镜(SEM)、X射线衍射(XRD)、拉曼光谱、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)、电化学阻抗谱(EIS)、循环伏安测试(CV)、Tafel极化曲线以及光电流密度-电压特性曲线(J-V)分别研究了其表面形貌、物质结构、电催化性能和光电性能。结果表明20%浓度制备的CoS对电极具有较高的电催化活性,在一个标准太阳光照条件下(100mW.cm_-2),其光电转换效率(PCE)是7.81%,短路电流密度(J_sc)是17.3 mA.cm_?2,开路电压(V_oc)是0.74 V,填充因子(FF)是0.61,显示出与Pt对电极(7.97%)相比拟的性能。说明通过这种气-固反应法采用浓度为20%醋酸钴溶液制备的CoS薄膜具有高催化性、低成本的优点,可代替Pt作为染料敏化电池对电极。、关键词用黑体,及关键词内容用宋体。     

Carbon nanotube-carbon black hybrid counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells and the effect on charge transfer kinetics

In this work, the catalytic activity of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), carbon black (CB), and CNT-CB counter electrodes in the I⁻/I₃⁻ reduction reaction is reported and compared with the Pt counter electrode. The fabricated counter electrodes were evaluated in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The results indicate that the best cathodes were made from CNT₁₀ (240 μm) and CB with a charge transfer resistance (R_CT) of 2.70 Ω, and when the complete device shows 19.83 Ω of internal series resistance (R_S), the photovoltaic parameters of these cells were J_SC = 10.47 mA cm⁻²; V_OC = 0.70 V; and FF = 57.90, with an efficiency of 4.29%, indicating a better interaction between the CNT₁₀ in the 3D network of the counter electrode, generating a good charge transfer kinetics, in comparison with only CNT₁₀ or CB.

     

Scalable Low‐Cost SnS2 Nanosheets as Counter Electrode Building Blocks for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

A new type of semitransparent SnS₂ nanosheet (NS) films were synthesized using a simple and environmentally friendly solution‐processed approach, which were subsequently used as a counter electrode (CE) alternative to the noble metal Pt for triiodide reduction in dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The resultant SnS₂‐based CE with a thickness of about 300 nm exhibited excellent electrochemical catalytic activity for catalyzing the reduction of triiodide and demonstrated comparable power conversion efficiency of 7.64 % with that of expensive Pt‐based CE in DSSCs (7.71 %). When functionalized with a small amount of carbon nanoparticles, the SnS₂ NS‐based CE showed even better performance of 8.06 % than Pt under the same conditions. Considering the facile fabrication method, optical transparency, low cost, and remarkable catalytic property, this study on SnS₂ NSs may shed light on the large‐scale production of electrocatalytic electrode materials for low‐cost photovoltaic devices.     

硫化亚铜对电极在量子点敏化太阳电池中的应用

报道了一种基于硫族金属复合物N₄H₉Cu₇S₄前驱体溶液制备硫化亚铜对电极的新方法. 分别制备了TiO₂纳米颗粒多孔薄膜和TiO₂纳米棒阵列结构的光阳极, 并在此基础上研究了基于硫化亚铜对电极的CdS/CdSe量子点敏化太阳电池的光电性能, 同时结合电化学阻抗技术考察了硫化亚铜对电极的催化性能. 结果表明: 与铂电极相比, 本方法制备的硫化亚铜电极对多硫电解质具有更高的催化活性, 所组装的CdS/CdSe量子点敏化太阳电池具有更优的光伏性能.     

Enhanced Performance of Organic/Inorganic Hybrid Nanomaterials bearing Impregnated [PdL2] Complexes as Counter‐Electrode Catalyst for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

N‐coordinate Pd²⁺ complexes [PdL₂] (L: N‐N‐quinoline‐8‐yl‐R‐benzenesulfonamides) ( 6–10 ) and [PdL₂] complexes assembled on multi‐wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) hybrid nanomaterials were fabricated and characterized by various techniques. The [PdL₂] impregnated MWCNTs materials ( 11–15 ) were applied as a counter electrode (CE) catalyst for triiodide to iodide reduction reaction in the dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSC) and investigated electro‐catalytic activities. The MWCNTs‐supported [PdL₂] CEs ( 11–15 ) are exhibits as Pt‐free CE with good power conversion efficiencies (PCEs), and compared to platinum and bare MWCNTs CEs and the PCE of bare MWCNTs was clearly improved by means of [PdL₂] complexes ( 6–10 ). The DSSCs based on the hybrid counter electrodes (CEs) ( 11–15 ) and bare MWCNTs are indicated a relative efficiency ( ? _rel ) of 64.27%, 54.07%, 53.75%, 51.52% 44.82% and 27.27% concerning a Pt CE control device set at 100%. The report emphasizes that [PdL₂] impregnated MWCNTs type counter electrodes (CEs) ( 11–15 ) are promising as effectively catalyst in working device design, particularly taking into account the eco‐friendly approach of the hybrids.     

碳纳米纤维负载Co3S4复合材料的合成及其在染料敏化太阳电池对电极的应用

采用水热法合成四硫化三钴（Co₃S₄）催化材料,并利用球磨和喷涂技术将其制备成对电极,结合新型无碘电解液Co²⁺/Co³⁺用于染料敏化太阳电池（dye-sensitized solar cells,简称DSCs）来研究其光电性能。测试结果显示,基于Co₃S₄对电极,DSCs的能量转化效率（power conversion efficiency,简称PCE）只有6.06%,远远低于Pt对电极（8.05%）。为了提高Co₃S₄的催化能力,采用静电纺丝技术制备碳纳米纤维（electrospun carbon nanofibers,简称ECs）,结合水热法制备出不同负载量的碳纳米纤维负载四硫化三钴（Co₃S₄/ECs）复合催化材料用于对电极,结果表明,Co₃S₄/ECs的PCE最高可达（8.22±0.08）%,优于Pt对电极。     

Growth of aligned polypyrrole acicular nanorods and their application as Pt‐free semitransparent counter electrode in dye‐sensitized solar cell

Polypyrrole films on fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO)‐coated glass substrate were prepared in situ by placing FTO/glass substrates where pyrrole was polymerized by methyl orange‐ferric chloride complex. The atomic force microscopy image indicated growth of acicular nanorods of polypyrrole. These films exhibited catalytic activity towards I₃⁻/I⁻ redox couple and have been investigated for counter electrode application in dye‐sensitized solar cell (DSSC). The fabricated DSSC with N719 dye/TiO₂ as photoanode, and PPy/FTO as counter electrode shows ~1.7% efficiency.     

碳纳米纤维负载Co_3S_4复合材料的合成及其在染料敏化太阳电池对电极的应用

采用水热法合成四硫化三钴(Co_3S_4)催化材料,并利用球磨和喷涂技术将其制备成对电极,结合新型无碘电解液Co~(2+)/Co~(3+)用于染料敏化太阳电池(dye-sensitized solar cells,简称DSCs)来研究其光电性能。测试结果显示,基于Co_3S_4对电极,DSCs的能量转化效率(power conversion efficiency,简称PCE)只有6.06%,远远低于Pt对电极(8.05%)。为了提高Co_3S_4的催化能力,采用静电纺丝技术制备碳纳米纤维(electrospun carbon nanofibers,简称ECs),结合水热法制备出不同负载量的碳纳米纤维负载四硫化三钴(Co_3S_4/ECs)复合催化材料用于对电极,结果表明,Co_3S_4/ECs的PCE最高可达(8.22±0.08)%,优于Pt对电极。     

Ultrathin FeSe2 Nanosheets: Controlled Synthesis and Application as a Heterogeneous Catalyst in Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

Two‐dimensional (2D) semiconducting nanosheets have emerged as an important field of materials, owing to their unique properties and potential applications in areas ranging from electronics to catalysis. However, the controlled synthesis of ultrathin 2D nanosheets remains a great challenge, due to the lack of an intrinsic driving force for anisotropic growth. High‐quality ultrathin 2D FeSe₂ nanosheets with average thickness below 7 nm have been synthesized on large scale by a facile solution method, and a formation mechanism has been proposed. Due to their favorable structural features, the as‐synthesized ultrathin FeSe₂ nanosheets exhibit excellent electrocatalytic activity for the reduction of triiodide to iodide and low charge‐transfer resistance at the electrolyte–electrode interface in dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The DSSCs with FeSe₂ nanosheets as counter electrode material achieve a high power conversion efficiency of 7.53 % under a simulated solar illumination of 100 mW cm^?2 (AM 1.5), which is comparable with that of Pt‐based devices (7.47 %).