Fe3O4–carbon black nanocomposite as a highly efficient counter electrode material for dye-sensitized solar cell. Issue 11 (15th August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bagavathi, Muniyandi; Ramar, Alagar; Saraswathi, Ramiah
• Is Part Of: Ceramics international. Volume 42:Issue 11(2016)
• Page Start: 13190
• Page End: 13198
• Publication Date: 2016-08-15
• Subjects: Dye-sensitized solar cell -- Fe3O4 -- Carbon black -- Counter electrode -- Electrocatalytic activity; Ceramics -- Periodicals; Céramique industrielle -- Périodiques; Ceramics; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 666
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2016.05.111
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0272-8842

Abstract

Abstract: Iron oxide– carbon black (Fe3 O4 – CB) nanocomposite has been proposed as a cost–effective alternative counter electrode (CE) to the conventional Pt in a dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC). The Fe3 O4 – CB nanocomposite at three different weight ratio (1:1, 1:2 and 2:1) was prepared by a simple solution mixing process and the material was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X- ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy techniques. The performance of the three Fe3 O4 – CB nanocomposite CEs was assessed with respect to Fe3 O4, CB and Pt in a conventional DSSC consisting of N719 dye sensitized TiO2 (P25) photoanode in contact with an electrolyte containing the I − /I3 − redox couple. The electrocatalytic activities of the various CEs towards triiodide (I3 − ) reduction were analyzed by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and Tafel polarization analysis. The photocurrent voltage ( J – V ) characteristics of the DSSCs assembled with various counter electrodes were assessed at a light intensity of 80 mW cm −2 . The DSSC assembled with Fe3 O4 – CB nanocomposite (1:2) CE showed the best photovoltaic performance in terms of a high power conversion efficiency of 6.1% which is superior to that of sputtered Pt (4.1%). The simple preparation, excellent electrocatalytic activity and low- cost nature allow the Fe3 O4 – CB nanocomposite to be a promising alternative CE to Pt for use in DSSCs.