Cost-effective, transparent iron selenide nanoporous alloy counter electrode for bifacial dye-sensitized solar cell

• Published in: Journal of power sources Vol. 282; pp. 79 - 86
• Main Authors: Liu, Juan, Tang, Qunwei, He, Benlin, Yu, Liangmin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15.05.2015
• Subjects: Bifacial dye-sensitized solar cell; Binary alloy; Iron selenide; Nanoporous structure; Transparent counter electrode; Nanoporous structure; Bifacial dye-sensitized solar cell; Transparent counter electrode; Iron selenide; Binary alloy
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2015.02.045

Pursuit of cost-effective and efficient counter electrodes (CEs) is a persistent objective for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). We present here the design of transparent Fe–Se nanoporous alloy CEs for bifacial DSSC applications. Due to the superior charge-transfer ability for I−/I3− redox couples, electrocatalytic reduction toward I3− species, and optical transparency in visible-light region, the bifacial DSSC with FeSe alloy electrode yields maximum front and rear efficiencies of 9.16% and 5.38%, respectively. A fast start-up, high multiple start capability, and good stability of the FeSe alloy CE demonstrate the potential applications in driving solar panels. The impressive efficiency along with simple preparation of the cost-effective Fe–Se nanoporous alloy CEs highlights their potential application in robust bifacial DSSCs. [Display omitted] •Nanoporous FeSe alloy counter electrodes are synthesized by a mild solution method.•Surfactant DBSA is utilized as a template for preparing nanopores.•The resultant FeSe alloy electrode has high optical transparency.•The transparent FeSe alloy CEs are used for bifacial DSSC applications.•The DSSC with FeSe CE yields front and rear efficiencies of 9.16% and 5.38%, respectively.