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Electrospinning of Photocatalytic Electrodes for Dye-sensitized Solar Cells
Published on: June 28, 2017
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Ruthenium based nanostructures driven by morphological controls as efficient counter electrodes for dye-sensitized
Jeesoo Seok1, Ka Yeon Ryu, Jin Ah Lee
1Department of Chemistry & Nano Science, Global Top 5 Research Program, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 120-750, Republic of Korea. myungkim@ewha.ac.kr kimkk@ewha.ac.kr.
Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics : PCCP
|January 7, 2015
Summary
Ruthenium nanostructures offer a cost-effective alternative to platinum counter electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Ruthenium metal nanostructures achieved a high efficiency of 6.77%, nearing platinum
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Renewable Energy
- Electrochemistry
Background:
- Platinum (Pt) is the standard counter electrode material for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs).
- Developing cost-effective and efficient alternatives to Pt is crucial for commercializing DSSCs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a facile method for preparing ruthenium dioxide (RuO2) and ruthenium (Ru) nanostructures.
- To evaluate RuO2 and Ru nanostructures as counter electrodes in DSSCs, replacing Pt.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of RuO2 and Ru nanostructure layers on FTO glass via annealing and spin coating.
- Utilizing amorphous RuO2·xH2O precursor and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) dispersion matrix.
- Reduction of RuO2 to Ru metal nanostructures using H2.
Main Results:
- Achieved efficient RuO2 and Ru nanostructure layers through a low-temperature, air-based process.
- The Ru metal nanostructure electrode demonstrated a high DSSC efficiency of 6.77%.
- The efficiency of the Ru electrode is comparable to that of a Pt electrode (7.87%).
Conclusions:
- Ruthenium nanostructures are effective and viable alternatives to platinum counter electrodes in DSSCs.
- The developed facile synthesis method offers a promising route for low-cost DSSC fabrication.
- Further research can optimize Ru-based electrodes for enhanced photovoltaic performance.
