Economical low-light photovoltaics by using the Pt-free dye-sensitized solar cell with graphene dot/PEDOT:PSS counter electrodes

Chuan Pei Lee, Chin An Lin, Tzu Chiao Wei, Meng-Lin Tsai, Ying Meng, Chun Ting Li, Kuo Chuan Ho, Chih I. Wu, Shu Ping Lau, Jr-Hau He

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

107 Scopus citations

Abstract

Graphene dots (GDs) are used for enhancing the performance of the poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrenesulfonate (PEDOT:PSS)-based counter electrodes in Pt-free dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). As compared to PEDOT:PSS CEs, GD-PEDOT:PSS films possess a rough surface morphology, high conductivity and electrocatalytic activity, and low charge-transfer resistance toward I/I redox reaction, pushing cell efficiency to 7.36%, which is 43% higher than that of the cell with PEDOT:PSS CEs (5.14%). Without much impact on efficiency, the DSSCs with GD-PEDOT:PSS CEs work well under low-light conditions (light intensity 60°), such as indoor and low-level outdoor lighting and of the sun while the other traditional cells would fail to work. The concurrent advantage in low cost in Pt-free materials, simple fabrication processes, comparable efficiency with Pt CEs, and high performance under low-light conditions makes the DSSC with GD-PEDOT:PSS CEs suitable to harvest light for a diverse range of indoor and low-level outdoor lighting locations.
Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)109-117
Number of pages9
JournalNano Energy
Volume18
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 23 2015

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Economical low-light photovoltaics by using the Pt-free dye-sensitized solar cell with graphene dot/PEDOT:PSS counter electrodes'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this