Optically Transparent Gold Nanoparticles for DSSC Counter-Electrode: An Electrochemical Characterization

Overview

Journal Molecules

Publisher MDPI

Specialty Biology

Date 2022 Jul 9

PMID 35807425

Authors

Jessica Barichello

Donatella Spadaro

Sara Gullace

Alessandro Sinopoli

Pietro Calandra

Alessia Irrera

Fabio Matteocci

Giuseppe Calogero

Stefano Caramori

Carlo Alberto Bignozzi

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

A gold nanoparticles transparent electrode was realized by chemical reduction. This work aims to compare the transparent gold nanoparticles electrode with a more commonly utilized gold-film-coated electrode in order to investigate its potential use as counter-electrode (CE) in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). A series of DSSC devices, utilizing I/I and Co(III)/(II) polypyridine redox mediators [Co(dtb)3]/; dtb = 4,4'ditert-butyl-2,2'-bipyridine)], were evaluated. The investigation focused firstly on the structural characterization of the deposited gold layers and then on the electrochemical study. The novelty of the work is the realization of a gold nanoparticles CE that reached 80% of average visible transmittance. We finally examined the performance of the transparent gold nanoparticles CE in DSSC devices. A maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 4.56% was obtained with a commercial I/I-based electrolyte, while a maximum 3.1% of PCE was obtained with the homemade Co-based electrolyte.

Citing Articles

Development of dye-sensitized solar cells using pigment extracts produced by Talaromyces atroroseus GH2.

Tropea A, Spadaro D, Trocino S, Giuffrida D, Salerno T, Ruiz-Sanchez J Photochem Photobiol Sci. 2024; 23(5):941-955.

PMID: 38643418 DOI: 10.1007/s43630-024-00566-x.

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