Gold nanoparticles and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) hybrid films as counter-electrodes for enhanced efficiency in dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract PEDOT films incorporating gold nanoparticles have been used for counter-electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells. An increase in efficiency of about 130% has been observed compared to the use of PEDOT alone. Electrochemical investigations of the Co III (phen) 3 /Co II (phen) 3 used as redox shuttle on the PEDOT-AuNPs and PEDOT electrodes point out towards neither an enhanced catalytic activity nor a plasmonic effect but strongly suggest that this enhanced power efficiency is due to an increase in the conductivity of the counter electrode. On a more general point of view, this study shows the important impact of internal ohmic drop inside a DSSC on its efficiency.