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Interface Functionalization of Photoelectrodes with Graphene for High Performance Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells
Author(s) -
Chen Tao,
Hu Weihua,
Song Junling,
Guai Guan Hong,
Li Chang Ming
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
advanced functional materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.069
H-Index - 322
eISSN - 1616-3028
pISSN - 1616-301X
DOI - 10.1002/adfm.201201126
Subject(s) - materials science , graphene , dye sensitized solar cell , surface modification , nanotechnology , substrate (aquarium) , energy conversion efficiency , tin oxide , oxide , electrolyte , electrode , chemical engineering , optoelectronics , chemistry , oceanography , geology , engineering , metallurgy
The microstructures of photo‐ and counter‐electrodes play critical roles in the performance of dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). In particular, various interfaces, such as fluorinated‐tin oxide (FTO)/TiO 2 , TiO 2 /TiO 2 , and TiO 2 /electrolyte, in DSSCs significantly affect the final power conversion efficiency (PCE). However, research has generally focused more on the design of various nanostructured semiconducting materials with emphasis on optimizing chemical or/and physical properties, and less on these interface functionalizations for performance improvement. This work explores a new application of graphene to modify the interface of FTO/TiO 2 to suppress charge recombination. In combination with interfaces functionalization of TiO 2 /TiO 2 for low charge‐transport resistance and high charge‐transfer rate, the final PCE of DSSC is remarkably improved from 5.80% to 8.13%, achieving the highest efficiency in comparison to reported graphene/TiO 2 ‐based DSSCs. The method of using graphene to functionalize the surface of FTO substrate provides a better alternative method to the conventional pre‐treatment through hydrolyzing TiCl 4 and an approach to reduce the adverse effect of microstructural defect of conducting glass substrate for electronic devices.