Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

High-performance Pt-NiO nanosheet-based counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

High-performance counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are fabricated with platinum-nickel oxide (Pt-NiO) nanosheets as catalytic materials. Firstly, the Pt-Ni nanosheets are synthesized via galvanic replacement reaction between pre-synthesized Ni nanosheets and an aqueous H2PtCl6 solution. Secondly, after thermal treatment in air, the Pt-Ni alloys are turned to Pt-NiO nanosheets. The related data of cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and Tafel polarization reveal that Pt-NiO counter electrodes show highly catalytic activity and low charge transfer resistance. The DSSC with Pt-NiO counter electrode exhibits power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 8.40 %, which is lower than that of the DSSC containing commercial available Pt counter electrode (9.15 %) under full sunlight illumination (100 mW cm−2, AM1.5G). However, owing to the extremely high transparency of Pt-NiO counter electrode, when putting an Ag mirror behind the back side of the DSSC, the reflected light can bring great enhanced PCE (11.27 %).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Yella A, Lee HW, Tsao HN, Yi C, Chandiran AK, Nazeeruddin M, Diau EW, Yeh CY, Zakeeruddin SM, Grätzel M (2011) Porphyrin-sensitized solar cells with cobalt (II/III)-based redox electrolyte exceed 12 percent efficiency. Science 334:629–634

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Lan Z, Wu J, Lin J, Huang M (2012) Controllable hydrothermal synthesis of nanocrystal TiO2 particles and their use in dye-sensitized solar cells. Sci China Chem 55:1308–1313

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Calogero G, Calandra P, Irrera A, Sinopoli A, Citro I, Marco GD (2011) A new type of transparent and low cost counter-electrode based on platinum nanoparticles for dye-sensitized solar cells. Energ Environ Sci 4:1838–1844

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Xiao Y, Han G, Li Y, Li M, Lin JY (2015) Three-dimensional hollow platinum–nickel bimetallic nanoframes for use in dye-sensitized solar cells. J Power Sources 278:149–155

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Lin JY, Lien CH, Chou SW (2012) Multi-wall carbon nanotube counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells prepared by electrophoretic deposition. J Solid State Electrochem 16:1415–1421

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Shen J, Cheng R, Luo YD, Chen YW, Chen XH, Sun Z, Huang SM (2015) Growth of NiS/graphene nanocomposites for enhanced performance of dye sensitized solar cells. J Solid State Electrochem 19:1045–1052

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Jeong H, Pak Y, Hwang Y, Song H, Lee KH, Ko HC, Jung GY (2012) Enhancing the charge transfer of the counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells using periodically aligned platinum nanocups. Small 8:3757–3761

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Wu J, Tang Z, Huang Y, Huang M, Yu H, Lin J (2014) A dye-sensitized solar cell based on platinum nanotube counter electrode with efficiency of 9.05%. J Power Sources 257:84–89

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Hsieh TL, Chen HW, Kung CW, Wang CC, Vittala R, Ho KC (2012) A highly efficient dye-sensitized solar cell with a platinum nanoflowers counter electrode. J Mater Chem 22:5550–5559

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Que L, Lan Z, Wu W, Wu J, Lin J, Huang M (2014) Titanium dioxide quantum dots: magic materials for high performance underlayers inserted into dye-sensitized solar cells. J Power Sources 268:670–676

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Hong W, Xu Y, Lu G, Li C, Shi G (2008) Transparent graphene/PEDOT–PSS composite films as counter electrodes of dye-sensitized solar cells. Electrochem Commun 10:1555–1558

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Li Q, Wu J, Tang Q, Lan Z, Li P, Lin J, Fan L (2008) Application of microporous polyaniline counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells. Electrochem Commun 10:1299–1302

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Sun D, He JP, Zhou JH, Wang T, Di ZY, Ding XC (2010) Galvanic replacement strategy for a core-shell like Ni-Pt electrocatalyst with high Pt utilization. Acta Phys -Chim Sin 26:1219–1224

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Kim SS, Park KW, Yum JH, Sung YE (2007) Dye-sensitized solar cells with Pt–NiO and Pt–TiO2 biphase counter electrodes. J Photochem Photobio A Chem 189:301–306

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Kim SS, Park KW, Yum JH, Sung YE (2006) Pt–NiO nanophase electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells 90:283–290

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Maiaugree W, Kongprakaiwoot N, Tangtrakarn A, Saekow S, Pimanpang S, Amornkitbamrung V (2014) Efficiency enhancement for dye-sensitized solar cells with a porous NiO/Pt counter electrode. Appl Surf Sci 289:72–76

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Wu J, Li Y, Tang Q, Yue G, Lin J, Huang M, Meng L (2014) Bifacial dye-sensitized solar cells: a strategy to enhance overall efficiency based on transparent polyaniline electrode. Sci Rep. doi:10.1038/srep04028

    Google Scholar 

  18. Lan Z, Que L, Wu W, Wu J (2015) Preparation of Pt–NiO/Co3O4 nanocompounds based counter electrodes from Pt–Ni/Co alloys for high efficient dye-sensitized solar cells. J Alloy Compd 646:80–85

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Yang CC, Zhang HQ, Zheng YR (2011) DSSC with a novel Pt counter electrodes using pulsed electroplating techniques. Curr Appl Phys 11:S147–S153

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Cheng N, Liu J, Banis MN, Geng D, Li R, Ye S, Knights S, Sun X (2014) Atomic scale enhancement of metal-support interactions between Pt and ZrC for highly stable electrocatalysts. Inter J Hydrogen Energ 39:15967–15974

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Gong F, Xu X, Li Z, Zhou G, Wang ZS (2013) NiSe2 as an efficient electrocatalyst for a Pt-free counter electrode of dye-sensitized solar cells. Chem Commun 49:1437–1439

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Peng S, Wu Y, Zhu P, Thavasi V, Mhaisalkar SG, Ramakrishna S (2011) Facile fabrication of polypyrrole/functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes composite as counter electrodes in low-cost dye-sensitized solar cells. J Photochem Photobio A Chem 223:97–102

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Yue G, Wu J, Xiao Y, Huang M, Lin J, Lin JY (2013) High performance platinum-free counter electrode of molybdenum sulfide–carbon used in dye-sensitized solar cells. J Mater Chem A 1:1495–1501

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Mulmudi HK, Batabyal HK, Rao M, Prabhakar RR, Mathews N, Lam YM, Mhaisalkar SG (2011) Solution processed transition metal sulfides: application as counter electrodes in dye sensitized solar cells (DSCs). Phys Chem Chem Phys 13:19307–19309

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Wang Y, Zhao C, Wu M, Liu W, Ma T (2013) Highly efficient and low cost Pt-based binary and ternary composite catalysts as counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells. Electrochim Acta 105:671–676

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the support of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (nos. U1205112, 51002053, and 61474047), the Fujian Provincial Science Foundation for Distinguished Young Scholars (2015 J06011), the Programs for Prominent Young Talents and New Century Excellent Talents in Fujian Province University, and the Promotion Program for Yong and Middle-aged Teacher in Science and Technology Research of Huaqiao University (ZQN-YX102).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Engineering Research Center of Environment-Friendly Functional Materials, Ministry of Education; Key Laboratory of Functional Materials for Fujian Higher Education; Institute of Materials Physical Chemistry, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, 361021, China

    Zhang Lan, Lanfang Que, Wanxia Wu & Jihuai Wu

Authors
  1. Zhang Lan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Lanfang Que
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Wanxia Wu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jihuai Wu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zhang Lan.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Lan, Z., Que, L., Wu, W. et al. High-performance Pt-NiO nanosheet-based counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells. J Solid State Electrochem 20, 759–766 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10008-015-3103-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10008-015-3103-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation