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Optically transparent graphene nanoplatelet inks as low cost electrocatalysts for liquid dye sensitised solar cells

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 July 2014

J. Baker ,
T.M. Watson ,
D. Jones ,
D. Deganello ,
D.T. Gethin  and
T C Claypole
J. Baker
Affiliation:
Welsh Centre for Printing and Coating, Swansea University, UK
T.M. Watson
Affiliation:
SPECIFIC, Swansea University, Baglan Bay Innovation Centre, Baglan, UK
D. Jones
Affiliation:
Multidisciplinary Nanotechnology Centre, Swansea University, UK
D. Deganello
Affiliation:
Welsh Centre for Printing and Coating, Swansea University, UK
D.T. Gethin
Affiliation:
Welsh Centre for Printing and Coating, Swansea University, UK
T C Claypole
Affiliation:
Welsh Centre for Printing and Coating, Swansea University, UK
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Abstract

Graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) functionalised with platinum were explored as the active material in a high specific surface area ink. The ink had a transmission at 550nm (T550) = 85% and a charge transfer resistance (Rct) of 6Ω/cm2. Although the Rct is higher than required for laboratory cells having a Jsc of 20mA/cm2 under 1 sun test conditions it is sufficient for industrially produced reverse devices, especially when utilised for indoor applications where light conditions will be lower than 100W/m2. This was demonstrated by reverse illuminated DSC efficiencies with flexible cathodes which were equivalent to cells with sputtered platinum catalysts when subjected to 300W/m2 lighting or less. A modification to the ink, suitable for catalysing a Co2+/3+ electrolyte having an Rct of 2Ω/cm2 and T550= 85% was undertaken. This demonstrates potential for use in high efficiency cobalt mediated DSCs. The work shows that printed graphene catalysts are a versatile low cost replacement to sputtered platinum in reverse illuminated DSCs for dye sensitised solar cells.

Keywords

catalyticphotovoltaicsolution deposition
Type
Articles
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 1667: Symposium B – Organic and Inorganic Materials for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells , 2014 , mrss14-1667-b12-04
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2014 

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References

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