Optimization of the PtFe alloy structure for application as an efficient counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells. (1st September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Omelianovych, Oleksii; Dao, Van-Duong; Larina, Liudmila L.; Choi, Ho-Suk
• Is Part Of: Electrochimica acta. Volume 211(2016)
• Page Start: 842
• Page End: 850
• Publication Date: 2016-09-01
• Subjects: dry plasma reduction -- PtFe alloy -- counter electrode -- dye-sensitized solar cell; Electrochemistry -- Periodicals; Electrochemistry, Industrial -- Periodicals; 541.37
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2016.06.094
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-4686

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Bimetallic PtFe nanoparticles are synthesized on an FTO substrate dry plasma reduction. The chemical composition of the Ptx Fe1-x alloy is optimized for high catalytic activity. The highest efficiency of 8.94% is recorded from DSC employed Pt0.75 Fe0.25 CE. PtFe alloys can find other applications such as methanol oxidation or magnetic shielding. Abstract: This research develops an efficient catalyst material for counter electrodes (CEs) in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) using an inexpensive and ecologically sustainable manufacturing method. In order to achieve this, bimetallic PtFe nanoparticles are synthesized on an FTO substrate using dry plasma reduction (DPR) under atmospheric pressure. The chemical composition of the Ptx Fe1-x (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) alloy was optimized in order to achieve high catalytic activity and excellent electrical properties in the developed material. It is found that the Pt0.75 Fe0.25 alloy exhibits the largest value of | Ired | = 1.440 mA and the lowest value of Rct = 0.88 Ω. As a result, an efficiency of 8.94% with Jsc = 15.03 mAcm −2, Voc = 805 mV, and FF = 74.32% is achieved. The obtained efficiency is higher than that of 8.24% for a device using a Pt1 Fe0 CE. The obtained results indicate that the PtFe alloy fabricated using DPR is an alternative CE material for highly efficient DSCs.