A significant improvement in the electrocatalytic stability of N-doped graphene nanosheets used as a counter electrode for [Co(bpy)3]3+/2+ based porphyrin-sensitized solar cells

Peng Zhai, Chih-Chi Lee, Ya-Huei Chang, Chang Liu, Tzu-Chien Wei*, Shien-Ping Feng

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

27 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A significant improvement in efficiency is achieved for porphyrin (YD2-o-C8) based dye-sensitized solar cells, coupled with [Co(bpy)3]3+/2+ mediator electrolyte. However, the poison of the counter electrode (CE) by the [Co(bpy)3]3+/2+ mediator remains a significant barrier to producing a reliable high-performance device. In this paper, nitrogen-doped graphene nanosheets (NG) are produced using a low-cost solution-based process and are used as the CE for [Co(bpy)3]3+/2+ based porphyrin-sensitized solar cells. These produce significantly better electrocatalytic activity than the commonly used Pt CE. The superior performance is a result of the increased number of catalytic sites and the wettable surface that is caused by the substitution of pyridinic and pyrrolic N into the carbon-conjugated lattice. To the authors' best knowledge, the significantly improved cycling stability (>1000 times) of NG CE for [Co(bpy)3]3+/2+ redox complexes is demonstrated for the first time.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2116-2123
JournalACS Applied Materials and Interfaces
Volume7
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 28 Jan 2015
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publication details (e.g. title, author(s), publication statuses and dates) are captured on an “AS IS” and “AS AVAILABLE” basis at the time of record harvesting from the data source. Suggestions for further amendments or supplementary information can be sent to [email protected].

Research Keywords

  • cobalt mediator
  • electrocatalytic reliability
  • N-doped graphene
  • porphyrin-sensitized solar cells
  • surface wettability

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A significant improvement in the electrocatalytic stability of N-doped graphene nanosheets used as a counter electrode for [Co(bpy)3]3+/2+ based porphyrin-sensitized solar cells'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this