AuNP/graphene nanohybrid prepared by dry plasma reduction as a low-cost counter electrode material for dye-sensitized solar cells. (20th February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dao, Van-Duong; Jung, Sang-Ho; Kim, Ji-Soo; Tran, Quoc Chinh; Chong, Seol-Ah; Larina, Liudmila L.; Choi, Ho-Suk
• Is Part Of: Electrochimica acta. Volume 156(2015)
• Page Start: 138
• Page End: 146
• Publication Date: 2015-02-20
• Subjects: Dry plasma reduction -- graphene oxide -- reduced graphene oxide -- nanohybrid materials -- gold nanoparticles; Electrochemistry -- Periodicals; Electrochemistry, Industrial -- Periodicals; 541.37
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2014.12.109
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-4686

Abstract

Abstract: Au nanoparticles (NPs) with a radius ranging from 4 ∼ 18 nm (mostly 11 nm) were stably and uniformly hybridized on the surface of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) after co-reduction of Au precursor ions and graphene oxide (GO), to Au atoms and RGO, respectively. The hybridization was provided by dry plasma reduction (DPR) operated under atmospheric pressure and at a low temperature without any toxic chemicals. The structure of the AuNP/RGO nanohybrid was characterized by SEM, TEM, XPS, XRD and Raman spectroscopy. Raman spectra indicated that DPR induced an increase in the degree of clustering of the sp 2 phase in addition to sp 2 bond restoration. Increasing the number of AuNP/RGO layers yielded a decrease in the transmittance and sheet resistance of the AuNP/RGO nanohybrid. A developed electrode based on the AuNP/RGO nanohybrid showed high electrochemical catalytic activity and high conductivity in comparison with the AuNP and GO electrodes. Thus, the AuNP/RGO nanohybrid fabricated by DPR could be an excellent material for a low-cost counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells using Co 2+ /Co 3+ redox electrolyte.