Improved Performances of Graphite Counter Electrode for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells by Incorporating Graphene Nanosheets

Abstract:

Graphene nanosheets (GNs) were introduced into graphite counter electrode to construct a graphite/GNs (GGN) counter electrode to enhance the photovoltaic properties of the dye–sensitized solar cells (DSCs). The efficiency of the DSCs with the GGN electrode is 38.4% higher than that of DSCs with graphite electrode. The improved efficiency is attributed to the enhancement in the short circuit photocurrent density and fill factor. The GNs with high conductivity in the GGN electrode are believed to strengthen the contacts among the graphite particles as well as between the carbon film and the substrate, providing enough conductive paths for the transportation of the electrons in the electrode. Therefore, the sheet resistance of the GGN electrode is reduced and the catalytic activity for triiodide ( ) reduction is improved, which are two factors to enhance the efficiency of the cell.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volumes 253-255)
• Pages: 689-692
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.253-255.689
• Online since: December 2012
• Authors: Shun Jian Xu, Yu Feng Luo, Wei Zhong, Xiao Yun Liu, Zong Hu Xiao, Yong Ping Luo
• Keywords: Counter Electrode, Dye Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC), Graphene Nanosheets (GNS), Graphite, Photovoltaic Performance

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