A paper-based electrode using a graphene dot/PEDOT:PSS composite for flexible solar cells. (June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lee, Chuan-Pei; Lai, Kun-Yu; Lin, Chin-An; Li, Chun-Ting; Ho, Kuo-Chuan; Wu, Chih-I; Lau, Shu-Ping; He, Jr-Hau
• Is Part Of: Nano energy. Volume 36(2017:Jun.)
• Page Start: 260
• Page End: 267
• Publication Date: 2017-06
• Subjects: Dye-sensitized solar cell -- Conducting polymer -- Flexible electrode -- Graphene dots -- Paper electrode -- Metal-free counter electrode; Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanostructured materials -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Nanoscience; Nanostructured materials; Nanotechnology; Power resources -- Technological innovations; Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2017.04.044
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2211-2855

Abstract

Abstract: We have synthesized a metal-free composite ink that contains graphene dots (GDs) and poly(3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) that can be used on paper to serve as the counter electrode in a flexible dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). This paper-based GD/PEDOT:PSS electrode is low-cost, light-weight, flexible, environmentally friendly, and easy to cut and process for device fabrication. We determined the GD/PEDOT:PSS composite effectively fills the dense micro-pores in the paper substrate, which leads to improved carrier transport in the electrode and a 3-fold enhanced cell efficiency as compared to the paper electrode made with sputtered Pt. Moreover, the DSSC with the paper electrode featuring the GD/PEDOT:PSS composite did not fail in photovoltaic tests even after bending the electrode 150 times, whereas the device made with the Pt-based paper electrode decreased in efficiency by 45% after such manipulation. These exceptional properties make the metal-free GD/PEDOT:PSS composite ink a promising electrode material for a wide variety of flexible electronic applications. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Water–soluble GDs and PEDOT:PSS are used for preparing Pt–free counter electrode. GD/PEDOT:PSS–coated paper electrode exhibits higher performance than that with the paper with sputtered Pt. GD/PEDOT:PSS–coated paper electrode shows unfailing performance after 150 bending cycles. GD/PEDOT:PSS–coated paper electrode is low–cost, light–weight, and environmental friendly.