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Replacement of Pt with Graphene Derivatives in Counter Electrode of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Mohammadnejad Hajlari, Sama | 2020

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  1. Type of Document: M.Sc. Thesis
  2. Language: Farsi
  3. Document No: 53031 (07)
  4. University: Sharif University of Technology
  5. Department: Materials Science and Engineering
  6. Advisor(s): Mohammadi, Mohammad Reza; Askari, Masoud
  7. Abstract:
  8. Dye-Sensitized solar cells are the third generation of solar cells that have the potential to increase efficiency as much as solar cells of previous generations, along with lower prices. The cathode electrode of the pigmented solar cell as one of the essential components of the cell plays the role of accelerating the oxidation reaction reduction of the electrolyte. Platinum often is used as a catalyst layer. To reduce production costs and maintain cell viability, platinum should replace with other materials at a lower cost and higher electrochemical activity. Recently, carbon materials have been considered for the production of inexpensive solar cells with suitable performance. Among different carbon derivatives, graphene is considered as an ideal choice as the counter electrode because of its excellent electrical conductivity, high catalytic activity, and high surface area. In the present study, the graphene oxide was synthesized by the Hummers method. The characterizations of graphene oxide and lithium-functionalized graphene oxide were well-characterized by X-ray diffraction, UV spectroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Also, Dye Sensitized solar cells were prepared with a counter electrode based on graphene oxide, and their photovoltaic behavior was investigated. By optimizing the number of layers and the appropriate heat treatment temperature for the graphene oxide, the Dye Sensitized solar cells power conversion efficiency for the four layers of graphene oxide and the heat treatment temperature of 350 °C was 2.47%. Then, to improve the photovoltaic performance, a hybrid structure of graphene oxide and a small amount of platinum were considered as the counter electrode. Finally, lithium-functionalized graphene oxide was used as the Dye Sensitized solar cells counter electrode under optimum conditions and power conversion efficiency of 8.87%
  9. Keywords:
  10. Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ; Counter Electrode ; Graphene Oxide ; Titanium Dioxide ; Photovoltaic System ; Photocatalytic Property ; Lithium-Functionalized Graphene Oxide

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