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

Prashant Poudel; Lifeng Zhang; Prakash Joshi; Swaminathan Venkatesan; Hao Fong; Qiquan Qiao

doi:10.1039/c2nr30586k

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

Prashant Poudel, Lifeng Zhang, Prakash Joshi, Swaminathan Venkatesan, Hao Fong, Qiquan Qiao

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

63 Scopus citations

Abstract

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.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	4726-4730
Number of pages	5
Journal	Nanoscale
Volume	4
Issue number	15
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1039/c2nr30586k
State	Published - Aug 7 2012
Externally published	Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Materials Science

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title = "Enhanced performance in dye-sensitized solar cells via carbon nanofibers-platinum composite counter electrodes",

abstract = "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 (Rct), larger surface area, and faster reaction rate than those of conventional Pt. It reduced the overall series resistance (Rse), decreased dark saturation current density (J 0) and increased shunt resistance (Rsh) of the DSCs, thereby leading to a higher fill factor (FF) and larger open circuit voltage (Voc). The reduced electron transport resistance (Rs) and faster charge transfer rate in the CE led to a smaller overall cell series resistance (Rse) 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.",

author = "Prashant Poudel and Lifeng Zhang and Prakash Joshi and Swaminathan Venkatesan and Hao Fong and Qiquan Qiao",

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AU - Poudel, Prashant

AU - Zhang, Lifeng

AU - Joshi, Prakash

AU - Venkatesan, Swaminathan

AU - Fong, Hao

AU - Qiao, Qiquan

PY - 2012/8/7

Y1 - 2012/8/7

N2 - 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 (Rct), larger surface area, and faster reaction rate than those of conventional Pt. It reduced the overall series resistance (Rse), decreased dark saturation current density (J 0) and increased shunt resistance (Rsh) of the DSCs, thereby leading to a higher fill factor (FF) and larger open circuit voltage (Voc). The reduced electron transport resistance (Rs) and faster charge transfer rate in the CE led to a smaller overall cell series resistance (Rse) 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.

AB - 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 (Rct), larger surface area, and faster reaction rate than those of conventional Pt. It reduced the overall series resistance (Rse), decreased dark saturation current density (J 0) and increased shunt resistance (Rsh) of the DSCs, thereby leading to a higher fill factor (FF) and larger open circuit voltage (Voc). The reduced electron transport resistance (Rs) and faster charge transfer rate in the CE led to a smaller overall cell series resistance (Rse) 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.

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

Abstract

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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