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http://dx.doi.org/10.9713/kcer.2016.54.2.262

Carbon Nanotube-based Nanohybrid Materials as Counter Electrode for Highly Efficient Dye-sensitized Solar Cells  

Kim, Ji-Soo (Graduate School of Energy Science and Technology, Chungnam National University)
Sim, Eun-Ju (Department of Chemical Engineering, Chungnam National University)
Dao, Van-Duong (Department of Chemical Engineering, Chungnam National University)
Choi, Ho-Suk (Department of Chemical Engineering, Chungnam National University)
Publication Information
Korean Chemical Engineering Research / v.54, no.2, 2016 , pp. 262-267 More about this Journal
Abstract
In this study, we present an excellent approach for easily and uniformly immobilizing Pt, Au and bimetallic PtAu nanoparticles (NPs) on a multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT)-coated layer through dry plasma reduction. The NPs are stably and uniformly immobilized on the surface of MWNTs and the nanohybrid materials are applied to counter electrode (CE) of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). The electrochemical properties of CEs are examined through cyclic voltammogram, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and Tafel measurements. As a result, both electrochemical catalytic activity and electrical conductivity are highest for PtAu/MWNT electrode. The DSC employing PtAu/MWNT CE exhibits power conversion efficiency of 7.9%. The efficiency is better than those of devices with MWNT (2.6%), AuNP/MWNT (2.7%) and PtNP/MWNT (7.5%) CEs.
Keywords
Dry Plasma Reduction; Hybrid Materials; Counter Electrode; Dye-sensitized Solar Cells; Bimetallic PtAu Nanoparticles;
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Times Cited By KSCI : 3  (Citation Analysis)
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