Rapid charge-transfer in polypyrrole–single wall carbon nanotube complex counter electrodes: Improved photovoltaic performances of dye-sensitized solar cells

• Published in: Journal of power sources Vol. 256; pp. 170 - 177
• Main Authors: He, Benlin, Tang, Qunwei, Luo, Jinghuan, Li, Qinghua, Chen, Xiaoxu, Cai, Hongyuan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 15.06.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Chemical bonds; Counter electrode; Dye-sensitized solar cell; Electrodes; Energy; Energy conversion efficiency; Exact sciences and technology; Natural energy; Nuclear power generation; Photovoltaic cells; Photovoltaic conversion; Polypyrrole–single wall carbon nanotube complex; Reflux technique; Single wall carbon nanotubes; Solar cells; Solar cells. Photoelectrochemical cells; Solar energy; Walls; Dye-sensitized solar cell; Counter electrode; Reflux technique; Polypyrrole–single wall carbon nanotube complex; Carbon nanotubes; Transport process; Conducting polymers; Polypyrrole-single wall carbon nanotube complex; Singlewalled nanotube; Counterelectrode; Charge transfer; Auxiliary electrode; Photovoltaic conversion; Pyrrole polymer
• ISSN: 0378-7753
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2014.01.072

Dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) is a promising solution to global energy and environmental problems because of its clean, high efficiency, good durability, and easy fabrication. However, enhancement of power conversion efficiency and high cost of Pt counter electrode are still significant issues in commercial application of DSSCs. Herein, pyrrole–single wall nanotube (pyrrole–SWCNT) complexes are pioneerly synthesized by a reflux technique and subsequently in-situ polymerized and employed as counter electrodes (CEs) for DSSCs. Different from traditional polypyrrole/SWCNT (PPy/SWCNT) composites, the resultant PPy–SWCNT complexes are expected to fulfill the good electrical-conduction of SWCNT and electrocatalytic behaviors of PPy in accelerating electrochemical activity and charge transfer owing to the covalent bond between PPy (N atoms) and SWCNT (C atoms). The DSSCs employing PPy–SWCNT complex CEs exhibit significantly enhanced photovoltaic performances, in which a promising power conversion efficiency of 8.30% is obtained from PPy–2 wt‰ SWCNT complex CE in comparison with 6.31% from PPy-only CE. The high conversion efficiency, rapid charge-transfer in combination with simple preparation, relatively low cost, and scalability demonstrates the potential use of PPy–SWCNT complexes in robust DSSCs. [Display omitted] •PPy–SWCNT complexes are employed as CEs of DSSCs.•The covalent bonds within PPy–SWCNT complexes accelerate the charge transfer.•A power conversion efficiency of 8.30% is obtained from the PPy–SWCNT complex-based DSSC.•Reflux technique is promising in synthesizing efficient CE materials.