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SnSe counter electrode prepared by sputtering and selenization of tin for SnO2-based DSSC: The effect of selenization temperature

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Abstract

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) have received a lot of attention nowadays. One of the most essential parts of DSSC is the counter electrode (CE), which is usually made of platinum. Since platinum is an expensive material, we suggest using the SnSe electrode. By selenizing a layer of coated tin on glass thru sputtering, we obtained SnSe and used this layer as the counter electrode in a DSSC. We also used tin oxide as photoanode in the structure of the solar cell. By changing the selenization temperature, we improved the charge transport and electrocatalytic properties of the layer and optimized the solar cell performance. We also investigated the morphological properties of the layers with FESEM images. We used CV and EIS analyses to test the electrocatalytic and charge transport properties. Also, the current-voltage curve of the constructed cells reveals that the cell, which is made of the synthesized layer at 450 °C with an efficiency of 4.9%, gives us the best performance.

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  1. Department of Science and Engineering, Islamic Azad University, Sari Branch, Sari, Iran

    Ahmad Zatirostami

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  1. Ahmad Zatirostami
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Correspondence to Ahmad Zatirostami.

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Zatirostami, A. SnSe counter electrode prepared by sputtering and selenization of tin for SnO2-based DSSC: The effect of selenization temperature. J Nanopart Res 23, 72 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-021-05183-8

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