Improved Tri-iodide Reduction Reaction of Co-TMPP/C as a Non-Pt Counter Electrode in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Kim, Jy-Yeon; Lee, Jin-Kyu; Han, Sang-Beom; Lee, Young-Woo; Park, Kyung-Won

doi:2010.1.2.75

J. Electrochem. Sci. Technol > Volume 1(2); 2010 > Article

Article

Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology 2010;1(2):75-80.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5229/JECST.2010.1.2.075

Improved Tri-iodide Reduction Reaction of Co-TMPP/C as a Non-Pt Counter Electrode in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Jy-Yeon Kim, Jin-Kyu Lee, Sang-Beom Han, Young-Woo Lee, Kyung-Won Park

Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Soongsil University;Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Soongsil University;Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Soongsil University;Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Soongsil University;Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Soongsil University;

Abstract

We report Co-tetramethoxyphenylporphyrin on carbon particles (Co-TMPP/C) as a non-Pt catalyst for tri-iodide reduction in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The presence of well-dispersed carbon and cobalt source in the catalyst surface is confirmed by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. In the C 1s, Co 2p, and N 1s peaks measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, the C-N, Co-$N_4$, and N-C are assigned to the component at 285.7, 781.8, and 401 eV, respectively. Especially, the Co-TMPP/C shows improved current density, diffusion coefficient, and charge-transfer resistance in the ${I_3}^-/I^-$ redox reaction compared to conventional catalysts. Furthermore, in the DSSCs performance, the Co-TMPP/C shows increased short circuit current density, higher open circuit voltage, and improved cell efficieny in comparison with Pt/C.

Key Words: Tri-iodide reduction, Co-TMPP, Non-Pt, Counter electrode, Dye-sensitized solar cells