Application of Poly (3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene): polystyrenesulfonate counter electrode in polymer heterojunction dye-sensitized solar cells

doi:10.1007/s12200-011-0181-6

Front Optoelec Chin

2011, Vol. 4

Issue (4) : 369-377 https://doi.org/10.1007/s12200-011-0181-6

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Application of Poly (3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene): polystyrenesulfonate counter electrode in polymer heterojunction dye-sensitized solar cells

Gentian YUE, Jihuai WU(

), Jianming LIN, Miaoliang HUANG, Ying YAO, Leqing FAN, Yaoming XIAO

Engineering Research Center of Environment-Friendly Functional Materials, Ministry of Education, The Key Laboratory for Functional Materials of Fujian Higher Education, Institute of Material Physical Chemistry, Huaqiao University, Quanzhou 362021, China

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Abstract

A Poly (3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene): polystyrenesulfonate (PEDOT:PSS)/carbon conductive paste was prepared and coated on a conducting FTO glass to construct counter electrode for polymer heterojunction dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The surface morphology, conductivity, sheet resistance, redox properties and photoelectric properties of carbon electrode were observed respectively by scanning electron microscopy, four-probe tester and CHI660D electrochemical measurement system. The experimental results showed that DSSCs had the best photoelectric properties for PEDOT:PSS/carbon counter electrode annealing at 80°C in vacuum conditions. Using [6, 6]-phenyl-C₆₁-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM)/poly (3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) heterojunction to replace I3-/I- redox electrolyte, the overall energy conversion efficiency of the DSSCs with barrier layer reached 4.11% under irradiation of a simulated solar light with a intensity of 100 mW·cm^-1 (AM 1.5), which is higher 20% than that of the DSSCs with Pt counter electrode (3.42%). The excellent photoelectric properties, simple preparation procedure and low cost allow the PEDOT:PSS/carbon electrode to be a credible alternative used in DSSCs.

Keywords Poly (3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene): polystyrenesulfonate (PEDOT:PSS), counter electrode polymer heterojunction, dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC), photoelectric properties

Corresponding Author(s): WU Jihuai,Email:jhwu@hqu.edu.cn (J. Wu)

Issue Date: 05 December 2011

Cite this article:

Gentian YUE,Jihuai WU,Jianming LIN, et al. Application of Poly (3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene): polystyrenesulfonate counter electrode in polymer heterojunction dye-sensitized solar cells[J]. Front Optoelec Chin, 2011, 4(4): 369-377.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/foe/EN/10.1007/s12200-011-0181-6
https://academic.hep.com.cn/foe/EN/Y2011/V4/I4/369

Fig.1 A schematic diagram of the PEDOT:PSS/carbon conductive solution and TiO/dye/PCBM/P3HT/PEDOT:PSS/ carbon solar cell

Fig.2 SEM image of electrode (a) PEDOT:PSS coated on FTO glass, (b) and (c) PEDOT: PSS/carbon electrode

Fig.3 Cyclic voltammograms for PEDOT:PSS/carbon electrode and Pt electrode at a scan rate of 50 mV·s in 10 mM LiI, 1 mM I acetonitrile solution containing 0.1 M LiClO as the supporting electrolyte

Fig.4 (a) Consecutive four cyclic voltammograms of I/I system for PEDOT:PSS/carbon electrode in the acetonitrile solution containing 0.1 M LiClO as the supporting electrolyte and 10 mM LiI, 1 mM I as the redox couple, and Pt foil as working electrode and = 50mV·s; (b) relationship between the cycle times and the redox peak currents for PEDOT:PSS/carbon electrode.

Tab.1 In?uence of the temperature on the conductivity, resistivity and sheet resistance of PEDOT:PSS/carbon electrode in atmosphere environment annealed

Fig.5 In?uence of the temperature and annealed environment on the conductivity, resistivity and sheet resistance of PEDOT:PSS/carbon electrode

Tab.2 In?uence of temperature on the conductivity, resistivity and sheet resistance of PEDOT:PSS/carbon electrode in environment annealed

Fig.6 IPCEs of DSSCs with PEDOT:PSS/carbon and Pt counter electrodes

Tab.3 Photoelectric properties of DSSCs with PEDOT:PSS/carbon and Pt counter electrodes

Fig.7 Photocurrent-voltage characteristics of DSSCs (they both had barrier layer) with PEDOT:PSS/carbon (solid line) and Pt (dash line) counter electrodes under 100 mA·cm light irradiation

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