The dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) using SnO2 and Nb2O5 counter electrodes (CEs) prepared in N2 atmosphere yielded power conversion efficiencies (PCE) of 6.09% and 4.65%, much higher than the PCE values (1.84%, 0.97%) of the DSCs using the same SnO2 and Nb2O5 CEs prepared in air.
Low-cost bendable photoanodes and counter electrodes (CEs), as well as gel electrolytes, are potentially desired for the mass production of completely flexible dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). In this work, via printing at low temperature, we fabricated titanium carbide (TiC)-functionalized conductive-carbon (CC) on flexible polyimide (PI) films to replace traditional and expensive Pt/ITO/PEN CEs. Morphology characterization revealed this composite CE was highly porous and homogeneous. Electrochemical investigations demonstrated that this Pt-and-ITO free flexible CE exhibited a high electro-catalytic activity. Finally, the conversion efficiencies of the all flexible quasi-solid DSSCs using this low-cost TiC-CC/PI CE achieved 86% of that based on a Pt/CC/PI CE. Thus, the facile fabrication process of this novel CE, along with its notable performance, are quite promising for the future roll-to-roll production of completely flexible DSSCs.
The aim of this study was to resolve the poor bonding strength between carbon film and the conductive substrate in a carbon counter electrode. A carbon black-conductive carbon (Cb-CC) counter electrode was fabricated using a low-cost commercial conductive carbon paste (CC) as a binder and carbon black (Cb) as a catalyst. Film adhesion test results indicated that the introduction of the CC significantly improved the adhesion between Cb and the conductive substrate, as well as the conductivity and stability of the carbon counter electrode. The porous structure of the mixed CC and Cb carbon films was maintained as illustrated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Cyclic-voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements showed that the catalytic activity of CC-Cb was superior to that of CC. A dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) based on the CC-Cb counter electrode exhibited an excellent photoelectrical performance, reaching an energy conversion efficiency of 6.54%. The amount of CC in the carbon counter electrode was further optimized. Consequently, when the mass ratio of Cb:CC reached 23:77, the corresponding DSSC yielded the highest energy conversion efficiency recorded in this study at 6.81% . In addition, long term stability testing showed that the photovoltaic parameters of the DSSC based on the CC-Cb counter electrode remained similar to the initial values following more than 700 h of light soaking. This work has laid the foundation for improving the stability and the industrialization of low-cost DSSCs.
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