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Electrospinning of Photocatalytic Electrodes for Dye-sensitized Solar Cells
Published on: June 28, 2017
Large-pore sized mesoporous carbon electrocatalyst for efficient dye-sensitized solar cells
Easwaramoorthi Ramasamy1, Jinwoo Lee
1Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, Korea.
Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
|March 12, 2010
Summary
Large-pore mesoporous carbon counter-electrodes reduce charge transfer resistance in dye-sensitized solar cells. This advancement boosts solar-to-electric conversion efficiency in both liquid and quasi-solid cell configurations.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Renewable Energy
Background:
- Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are a promising photovoltaic technology.
- Efficient counter-electrodes are crucial for DSSC performance.
- Reducing charge transfer resistance at the counter-electrode/electrolyte interface is key.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the performance of large-pore sized mesoporous carbon as a counter-electrode material in DSSCs.
- To evaluate the impact of this counter-electrode on charge transfer resistance.
- To determine the solar-to-electric energy conversion efficiency in different DSSC electrolytes.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a counter-electrode using large-pore sized mesoporous carbon.
- Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to measure charge transfer resistance with iodide/triiodide redox electrolyte.
- Fabrication and testing of liquid and quasi-solid DSSCs utilizing the novel counter-electrode.
Main Results:
- The mesoporous carbon counter-electrode demonstrated low charge transfer resistance.
- Liquid DSSCs achieved a solar-to-electric energy conversion efficiency of 8.18%.
- Quasi-solid DSSCs achieved a solar-to-electric energy conversion efficiency of 3.61%.
Conclusions:
- Large-pore sized mesoporous carbon is an effective counter-electrode material for DSSCs.
- The material significantly reduces charge transfer resistance, enhancing device efficiency.
- This finding offers a pathway for developing more efficient and stable dye-sensitized solar cells.
