Tungsten trioxide nanoplate array supported platinum as a highly efficient counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells

Nanoscale
Dandan SongBing Jiang

Abstract

A tungsten trioxide (WO₃) nanoplate array is fabricated directly on the FTO/glass substrate and used as a platinum (Pt) nanoscale supporter for a highly efficient and low Pt-consumption counter electrode (CE) in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). A Pt/WO₃ composite structure, with Pt nanoparticles having a diameter of 2-3 nm, increases the electrochemical catalytic activity in catalyzing the reduction of triiodide. Accordingly, the power conversion efficiency is increased from less than 1% for WO₃ CE and 8.1% for Pt CE, respectively, to 8.9% for Pt/WO₃ CE. Moreover, the use of Pt/WO₃ CE can dramatically reduce the consumption of scarce Pt material, with a relatively low Pt-loading of ∼2 μg cm(-2), while maintaining a much better performance. The excellent performance of Pt/WO₃ CE is attributed to the efficient electron injection and transport via WO₃ supporters, as well as the nanostructure array morphology of WO₃ for deposition of fine Pt nanoparticles. This work provides an approach for developing highly catalytic and low-cost Pt based CEs, which also has implications for the development of Pt/WO₃ nanoplate arrays for other applications.

References

Nov 20, 2001·Nature·M Grätzel
Jul 21, 2006·The Journal of Physical Chemistry. B·Qing WangMichael Grätzel
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Apr 24, 2013·Nanotechnology·Balavinayagam RamalingamShubhra Gangopadhyay
May 16, 2013·Nanoscale·Jin You ZhengYoung Soo Kang

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