Interface Engineered Binary Platinum Free Alloy-based Counter Electrodes with Improved Performance in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
Wen-Wu Liu, Wei Jiang, Yucheng Liu, Wen‐Jun Niu, Mao‐Cheng Liu, Ling‐Bin Kong, Ling Lee, Zhiming M. Wang, Yu‐Lun Chueh
Abstract
Abstract The high cost and platinum dissolution issues of counter electrodes (CEs) are two core problems for the development of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). In this work, different CEs based on binary alloy Ru 81.09 Co 18.91 , Ru 80.55 Se 19.45 and Co 20.85 Se 79.15 nanostructures for DSSCs were successfully synthesized and investigated by a facile and environmentally friendly approach. Here, we found that the Co 20.85 Se 79.15 alloy CE-based device yields the higher photoelectric conversion efficiency of 7.08% compared with that (5.80%) of the DSSC using a pure Pt CE because of the larger number of active sites with improved charge transferability and reduced interface resistance by matching work function with the I 3 ‒ /I ‒ redox electrolyte. The inexpensive synthesis method, cost-effectiveness and superior catalytic activity of the Co 20.85 Se 79.15 alloy may open up a new avenue for the development of CEs for DSSCs in the near future.