Vertically-oriented few-layer graphene supported by silicon microchannel plates as a counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells

Vertically-oriented few-layer graphene supported by silicon microchannel plates annealed at different temperatures are used in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The structure, morphology, and electrochemical characteristics are determined by AFM, SEM, XPS, cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and photocurrent density-voltage curves. The graphene/Si-MCP fabricated by electrochemical exfoliation delivers enhanced power conversion efficiency in DSSC and the materials annealed under ambient conditions at 300 °C show the best results due to the smaller oxygen concentration in graphene and larger electrical conductance. Owing to the microelectronics-compatible fabrication process and excellent properties of the device, the counter electrode has large potential in high-performance silicon-based monolithic DSSCs.