Dissolution-resistant platinum alloy counter electrodes for stable dye-sensitized solar cells. (1st February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Hongyan; Tang, Qunwei; Meng, Yuanyuan; He, Benlin; Yu, Liangmin
• Is Part Of: Electrochimica acta. Volume 190(2016)
• Page Start: 409
• Page End: 418
• Publication Date: 2016-02-01
• Subjects: Dye-sensitized solar cell -- Counter electrode -- Alloy electrocatalyst -- Dissolution resistance -- Stability; Electrochemistry -- Periodicals; Electrochemistry, Industrial -- Periodicals; 541.37
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2015.12.168
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-4686

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: PtM0.1 (M = Fe, Co, Ni) CEs are synthesized by an electrodeposition method. The catalytic activity is markedly enhanced by alloying M with Pt. The DSSCs yield maximum efficiency of 8.77%. The dissolution-resistance of alloy CEs is enhanced in comparison with Pt. Abstract: Creation of dissolution-resistant counter electrodes (CEs) is a long-term objective for searching advanced dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) platforms. We present here the electrochemical deposition of PtM0.1 (M = Fe, Co, Ni) alloy CEs and understanding of the dissolution-resistance by thermodynamical calculation. On behalf of interaction between host Pt and guest M atoms, the electrocatalytic activity of alloyed PtM0.1 CEs is markedly enhanced in comparison with pristine Pt electrode. The competitive dissolution reactions from guest M atoms and liquid electrolyte contribute to the long-term stability of PtM0.1 alloy CEs. Compared with the liquid-junction DSSC from pristine Pt CE, the solar cells with PtNi0.1, PtCo0.1, and PtFe0.1 alloy CEs represent remarkable power conversion efficiencies of 8.77%, 8.26% and 7.84%, respectively. These PtM0.1 CEs show great promise for commercial application as they allow for a maximum 21.8% improvement in cell efficiency in comparison to the Pt CE system without compromising device stability.