Thermally exfoliated graphene based counter electrode for low cost dye sensitized solar cells
TL;DR: In this article, the use of thermally exfoliated graphene (TEG) as cost effective electrocatalyst for the tri-iodide reduction in dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) was demonstrated.
Abstract: Graphene obtained from thermal exfoliation of graphite oxide are highly wrinkled and have large surface area. Their wrinkled nature is expected to give them excellent catalytic activity. Herein, we demonstrate the use of thermally exfoliated graphene (TEG) as cost effective electrocatalyst for the tri-iodide reduction in dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). X-ray diffraction, Raman and Infra red spectroscopy and electron microscopy studies confirm the defective and wrinkled nature of TEG. BET surface area measurement show a large surface area of ∼ 470 m2/g. The counter electrode was fabricated by drop casting a slurry of TEG dispersed in a Nafion:Ethanol solution on fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) substrates. The use of Nafion prevented film “peel off,” thus ensuring a good substrate adhesion. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy reveals that TEG had a catalytic performance comparable to that of Pt, suggesting its use as counter electrode material. As expected, the DSSC fabricated with Nafion solubilized ...
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TL;DR: In this paper, a review of the materials in use as counter electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells is presented, along with a conclusion and future prospects section, with a succinct summary.
Abstract: Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) present promising low-cost alternatives to the conventional silicon (Si)-based solar cells. A DSC consists of several components, the most prominent being a titanium dioxide/metal oxide-based photoanode, a dye, an electrolyte and a counter electrode. The photoexcited electrons from the dye diffuse through the TiO2 network in the photoanode and go to the counter electrode which generally consists of platinum (Pt) sputtered onto a fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) plate. The Pt in the counter electrode helps in the regeneration of dyes by catalysing the I− regeneration from the I3− species in the redox couple. The morphology of Pt, its surface roughness, nature of the exposed facet, etc. play a crucial role in determining the overall efficiency of a DSC device. With Pt being a costly noble metal, reasonable efforts have been made to find cheaper alternatives. The review presented below gives a succinct summary of the materials in use as counter electrodes in DSCs, with a conclusion and future prospects section.
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TL;DR: In this article, the fabrication and performance of graphene film counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells are discussed. And a brief outlook is provided on the future development of graphene-based materials as prospective counter electrode for DSSCs.
Abstract: The dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) plays a leading role in third generation photovoltaic devices. Platinum-loaded conducting glass has been widely exploited as the standard counter electrode (CE) for DSSCs. However, the high cost and the rarity of platinum limits its practical application in DSSCs. This has promoted large interest in exploring Pt-free CEs for DSSCs. Very recently, graphene, which is an atomic planar sheet of hexagonally arrayed sp2 carbon atoms, has been demonstrated to be a promising CE material for DSSCs due to its excellent conductivity and high electrocatalytic activity. This article provides a mini review of graphene-based CEs for DSSCs. Firstly, the fabrication and performance of graphene film CE in DSSCs are discussed. Secondly, DSSC counter electrodes made from graphene-based composite materials are evaluated. Finally, a brief outlook is provided on the future development of graphene-based materials as prospective counter electrodes for DSSCs.
370 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a review selectively discusses and summarizes the recent advances in novel cathode materials for electrolytes free of iodine-based redox couples, mainly including inorganic transition metal compounds, organic conductive polymers and carbonaceous materials (particularly carbon nanotubes and graphene).
Abstract: Over the last decades, iodine-free redox couples have been widely investigated as alternatives for the ubiquitous triiodide/iodide redox shuttle in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). This is mainly motivated by desires to overcome the disadvantages associated with the latter, such as large energy loss in the dye regeneration process, visible light absorption and corrosiveness towards current-collecting metal grids. However, conventional Pt cathodes show poor catalytic activity towards those iodine-free redox couples, resulting in poor fill factors and relatively moderate power conversion efficiencies. The ultimate solution to address this challenge is to develop alternative economical Pt-free catalysts. This review selectively discusses and summarizes the recent advances in novel cathode materials for electrolytes free of iodine-based redox couples, mainly including inorganic transition metal compounds, organic conductive polymers and carbonaceous materials (particularly carbon nanotubes and graphene). Most of these advances have been realized by judiciously controlling the morphology of nanomaterials or by utilizing the collective properties of nano-assembly systems. Finally, this review highlights the importance of matchup between catalysts and the redox couples, and points to crucial issues that should be addressed in the pursuit of developing low-cost and high-catalytic cathodes for DSCs.
135 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the development in carbon based counter electrodes which utilize the advantages of high surface area and high electrocatalytic ability due to their nanostructured morphology is reviewed.
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TL;DR: Monocrystalline graphitic films are found to be a two-dimensional semimetal with a tiny overlap between valence and conductance bands and they exhibit a strong ambipolar electric field effect.
Abstract: We describe monocrystalline graphitic films, which are a few atoms thick but are nonetheless stable under ambient conditions, metallic, and of remarkably high quality. The films are found to be a two-dimensional semimetal with a tiny overlap between valence and conductance bands, and they exhibit a strong ambipolar electric field effect such that electrons and holes in concentrations up to 10 13 per square centimeter and with room-temperature mobilities of ∼10,000 square centimeters per volt-second can be induced by applying gate voltage.
55,532 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe a photovoltaic cell, created from low-to medium-purity materials through low-cost processes, which exhibits a commercially realistic energy-conversion efficiency.
Abstract: THE large-scale use of photovoltaic devices for electricity generation is prohibitively expensive at present: generation from existing commercial devices costs about ten times more than conventional methods1. Here we describe a photovoltaic cell, created from low-to medium-purity materials through low-cost processes, which exhibits a commercially realistic energy-conversion efficiency. The device is based on a 10-µm-thick, optically transparent film of titanium dioxide particles a few nanometres in size, coated with a monolayer of a charge-transfer dye to sensitize the film for light harvesting. Because of the high surface area of the semiconductor film and the ideal spectral characteristics of the dye, the device harvests a high proportion of the incident solar energy flux (46%) and shows exceptionally high efficiencies for the conversion of incident photons to electrical current (more than 80%). The overall light-to-electric energy conversion yield is 7.1-7.9% in simulated solar light and 12% in diffuse daylight. The large current densities (greater than 12 mA cm-2) and exceptional stability (sustaining at least five million turnovers without decomposition), as well as the low cost, make practical applications feasible.
26,457 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a colloidal suspension of exfoliated graphene oxide sheets in water with hydrazine hydrate results in their aggregation and subsequent formation of a high surface area carbon material which consists of thin graphene-based sheets.
12,756 citations
TL;DR: Raman spectra are reported from single crystals of graphite and other graphite materials as mentioned in this paper, and the Raman intensity of this band is inversely proportional to the crystallite size and is caused by a breakdown of the k-selection rule.
Abstract: Raman spectra are reported from single crystals of graphite and other graphite materials. Single crystals of graphite show one single line at 1575 cm−1. For the other materials like stress‐annealed pyrolitic graphite, commercial graphites, activated charcoal, lampblack, and vitreous carbon another line is detected at 1355 cm−1. The Raman intensity of this band is inversely proportional to the crystallite size and is caused by a breakdown of the k‐selection rule. The intensity of this band allows an estimate of the crystallite size in the surface layer of any carbon sample. Two in‐plane force constants are calculated from the frequencies.
9,373 citations
TL;DR: The status of graphene research is presented, which includes aspects related to synthesis, characterization, structure, and properties.
Abstract: Every few years, a new material with unique properties emerges and fascinates the scientific community, typical recent examples being high-temperature superconductors and carbon nanotubes. Graphene is the latest sensation with unusual properties, such as half-integer quantum Hall effect and ballistic electron transport. This two-dimensional material which is the parent of all graphitic carbon forms is strictly expected to comprise a single layer, but there is considerable interest in investigating two-layer and few-layer graphenes as well. Synthesis and characterization of graphenes pose challenges, but there has been considerable progress in the last year or so. Herein, we present the status of graphene research which includes aspects related to synthesis, characterization, structure, and properties.
3,513 citations