Rational screening low-cost counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells

Yu Hou, Dong Wang, Xiao Hua Yang, Wen Qi Fang, Bo Zhang, Hai Feng Wang (), Guan Zhong Lu, P. Hu, Hui Jun Zhao and Hua Gui Yang ()
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Yu Hou: Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology
Dong Wang: Labs for Advanced Materials, Research Institute of Industrial Catalysis, East China University of Science and Technology
Xiao Hua Yang: Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology
Wen Qi Fang: Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology
Bo Zhang: Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology
Hai Feng Wang: Labs for Advanced Materials, Research Institute of Industrial Catalysis, East China University of Science and Technology
Guan Zhong Lu: Labs for Advanced Materials, Research Institute of Industrial Catalysis, East China University of Science and Technology
P. Hu: Labs for Advanced Materials, Research Institute of Industrial Catalysis, East China University of Science and Technology
Hui Jun Zhao: Centre for Clean Environment and Energy, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University
Hua Gui Yang: Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology

Nature Communications, 2013, vol. 4, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract Dye-sensitized solar cells have attracted intense research attention owing to their ease of fabrication, cost-effectiveness and high efficiency in converting solar energy. Noble platinum is generally used as catalytic counter electrode for redox mediators in electrolyte solution. Unfortunately, platinum is expensive and non-sustainable for long-term applications. Therefore, researchers are facing with the challenge of developing low-cost and earth-abundant alternatives. So far, rational screening of non-platinum counter electrodes has been hamstrung by the lack of understanding about the electrocatalytic process of redox mediators on various counter electrodes. Here, using first-principle quantum chemical calculations, we studied the electrocatalytic process of redox mediators and predicted electrocatalytic activity of potential semiconductor counter electrodes. On the basis of theoretical predictions, we successfully used rust (α-Fe2O3) as a new counter electrode catalyst, which demonstrates promising electrocatalytic activity towards triiodide reduction at a rate comparable to platinum.

Date: 2013
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms2547

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