Enhanced performance in dye-sensitized solar cells via carbon nanofibers-platinum composite counter electrodes

A composite counter electrode (CE) made of electrospun carbon nanofibers (ECNs) and platinum (Pt) nanoparticles has been demonstrated for the first time to improve the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). The new ECN-Pt composite CE exhibited a more efficient electro-catalytic performance with lower charge transfer resistance (R(ct)), larger surface area, and faster reaction rate than those of conventional Pt. It reduced the overall series resistance (R(se)), decreased dark saturation current density (J(0)) and increased shunt resistance (R(sh)) of the DSCs, thereby leading to a higher fill factor (FF) and larger open circuit voltage (V(oc)). The reduced electron transport resistance (R(s)) and faster charge transfer rate in the CE led to a smaller overall cell series resistance (R(se)) in the ECN-Pt composite based DSCs. The DSCs based on an ECN-Pt CE achieved a η of ∼8%, which was improved over those of pure Pt or ECN based cells.