Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Belqasem Aljafari, Subbiah Vijaya, Arash Takshi, Sambandam Anandan
Summary: This study explores manganese dioxide (MnO2) and copper-doped manganese dioxide (Cu-MnO2) nanoparticles as candidates for the counter electrode (CE) material in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), aiming to provide low-cost alternatives to platinum (Pt). Experimental results show that DSSC devices fabricated with 10 wt% Cu-MnO(2) as CE exhibit better performance. The low-cost feature of using Cu-MnO(2) as CE is encouraging for further research in improving the efficiency of DSSCs with alternative CEs.
ARABIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Aycan Atli, Abdullah Yildiz
Summary: An opaque platinum film as a counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells demonstrates enhanced reflectivity, smaller resistance, and excellent adhesion properties. As a result, the DSSC with the opaque platinum film achieves a higher electrical power conversion efficiency compared to the transparent platinum film under the same conditions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Ahalya Gunasekaran, Sneha James, Madappa C. Maridevaru, Belqasem Aljafari, Sambandam Anandan
Summary: Hydrothermally synthesized perovskite materials have been found to have similar electrocatalytic activity to expensive platinum materials, providing a new approach for cost reduction in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs).
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Drajad Satrio Utomo, Jae Ho Kim, Daseul Lee, Juyun Park, Yong-Cheol Kang, Yong Hyun Kim, Jin Woo Choi, Myungkwan Song
Summary: A novel hierarchical MoO3 catalyst was fabricated and used as the counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells. The catalyst showed enhanced efficiency and stability, leading to a significant improvement in power conversion efficiency compared to the reference device.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
K. Gomathi, S. Padmanathan, Atif Mossad Ali, A. T. Rajamanickam
Summary: A new Ni-doped molybdenum oxide counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells was proposed, showing high absorption in visible light and improved photoconversion efficiency. The optimized 10% NiMoO3 electrode exhibited outstanding performance, indicating potential for enhancing photovoltaic properties and electrocatalytic activity.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yi-Lin Chen, Yi-June Huang, Min-Hsin Yeh, Miao-Syuan Fan, Cheng-Tai Lin, Ching-Cheng Chang, Vittal Ramamurthy, Kuo-Chuan Ho
Summary: The research proposes using flower-like phosphorus-doped nickel oxide as the counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells, with different characteristics observed in P-NiO, which shows a promising potential for higher power conversion efficiency.
Article
Electrochemistry
Fahad. A. A. Alharthi, Imran Hasan
Summary: Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are a promising photovoltaic technology with high stability and cost-effectiveness. To reduce the cost of DSSCs, it is necessary to develop Pt-free materials as counter electrode. In this study, nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide (N-rGO) coated on FTO glass substrate was used as the counter electrode, showing excellent electrocatalytic activity and achieving a good efficiency of 6.7% for DSSCs.
JOURNAL OF SOLID STATE ELECTROCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Runsheng Jiang, Mian Gao, Gentian Yue, Yueyue Gao, Jinghao Huo, Chen Dong, Furui Tan
Summary: This study presents a facile method using two-step hydrothermal and chemical vapor deposition approaches for in situ growth of cobalt phosphide and vanadium phosphide composite on carbon paper. The as-prepared composite can be directly used as counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells, exhibiting higher electrocatalytic activity and lower charge-transfer resistance than the Pt counter electrode, resulting in a higher power conversion efficiency under optimized conditions.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Runsheng Jiang, Mian Gao, Gentian Yue, Yueyue Gao, Jinghao Huo, Chen Dong, Furui Tan
Summary: Facile two-step hydrothermal and chemical vapor deposition approaches were developed for in situ growth of cobalt phosphide and vanadium phosphide on carbon paper. The resulting CoP/V2P/CP composite can be directly used as counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells without post-treatment. The CoP/V2P/CP CE exhibited higher electrocatalytic activity and lower charge-transfer resistance than the Pt CE, leading to a higher power conversion efficiency (9.47% vs 7.43%) for the DSSC.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Hui Zhao, Feifei Nie, Shuhui Liu, Yuanhao Li, Kezhong Wu, Mingxing Wu
Summary: Researchers have successfully synthesized a series of hierarchical MoC1-x@N-doped carbon composites through a simple one-step self-polymerization method. These composites exhibit excellent electron conduction and electrocatalytic performance, and have numerous active catalytic sites. As counter electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells, these composites achieve comparable power conversion efficiencies to Pt counter electrodes.
DIAMOND AND RELATED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Pooja A. Mithari, Avinash C. Mendhe, Swapnil S. Karade, Babasaheb R. Sankapal, Sujata R. Patrikar
Summary: The simple chemical bath deposition method successfully prepared MoS2 nanoflakes/MWCNTs thin-film composite material as the counter electrode in DSSCs, significantly increasing the photovoltaic conversion efficiency. The synergistic effect of the two materials resulted in improved electrocatalytic activity and lower charge transfer resistance at the CE/electrolyte interface.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Nadia Shahzad, Lutfullah, Tahira Perveen, Diego Pugliese, Sirajul Haq, Nusrat Fatima, Syed Muhammad Salman, Alberto Tagliaferro, Muhammad Imran Shahzad
Summary: Efficiency, stability, and cost-effectiveness are the prime challenges in research of materials for solar cells. This study explores carbon nanotubes as alternative counter electrode materials for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) and discusses various classes of carbon nanotube-based counter electrode materials comprehensively. The properties associated with these materials are analyzed and compared. Additionally, this study includes a brief overview of materials for other components of DSSCs.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Tansir Ahamad
Summary: In this study, CoSe2@N-doped graphene nanocomposite was successfully prepared and used as a counter electrode for DSSC. It was found to exhibit higher photoelectric conversion efficiency than the noble Pt electrode. This superior performance is attributed to the large surface area and active catalytic sites of the nanocomposite, which enhance the reduction of I-3(-) in DSSCs.
JOURNAL OF INORGANIC AND ORGANOMETALLIC POLYMERS AND MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Pooja A. Mithari, Avinash C. Mendhe, Suraj R. Sankapal, Sujata R. Patrikar, Babasaheb R. Sankapal
Summary: Bi2Se3 nanoparticles were anchored on multiwalled carbon nanotubes using the SILAR method to create a nanohybrid composite electrode for dye-sensitized solar cell applications. The well-optimized composite showed superior performance compared to bare MWCNTs and Bi2Se3, thanks to the synergistic electrochemical active sites between Bi2Se3 and MWCNTs. The composite electrode also exhibited enhanced stability and efficient charge transfer in the DSSC.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
J. Luo, J. C. Liu, Z. Q. Zhao, S. H. Sun, Y. Zhu, Y. M. Hu
Summary: Orthogonal Cu3SnS4 (CTS) nano-crystals were synthesized, with Cu7S4 seeds forming first at 130 degrees C and orthorhombic CTS nano-crystals forming at 180 degrees C. Selenization at 500 degrees C for 20 minutes resulted in the formation of CTSXSe4-X, which showed good conductivity and electrocatalytic activity for I-3(-) reduction when used as counter electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells. The optimal 1.7 μm thick CTSXSe4-X counter electrode achieved a power conversion efficiency of 7.57%.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Liangyou Lin, Timothy W. Jones, Terry Chien-Jen Yang, Noel W. Duffy, Jinhua Li, Li Zhao, Bo Chi, Xianbao Wang, Gregory J. Wilson
Summary: Over the past decade, there has been significant progress in the development of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), with improvements in power conversion efficiency and long-term stability making them competitive candidates for next-generation photovoltaics. This review focuses on the advancements in inorganic electron transport materials (ETMs) for PSCs, particularly the three most prevalent materials (TiO2, SnO2, and ZnO) and their applications in tandem devices. Strategies to optimize the performance of the electron transport layer (ETL) in PSCs and the impact of ETL on device stability and efficiency are also discussed.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Applied
Gopalan Saianand, Prashant Sonar, Gregory J. Wilson, Anantha-Iyengar Gopalan, Vellaisamy A. L. Roy, Gautam E. Unni, Khan Mamun Reza, Behzad Bahrami, K. Venkatramanan, Qiquan Qiao
Summary: Perovskite-based photovoltaic materials have gained attention for their high power conversion efficiency. Flexible hybrid perovskite photovoltaics offer exciting potential for optoelectronic and wearable/portable device applications. The components of flexible perovskite-based solar cells play a crucial role in their overall performance.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Changhong Wang, Kaiqi Jiang, Timothy W. Jones, Shenghai Yang, Hai Yu, Paul Feron, Kangkang Li
Summary: The research introduces a novel electrochemical CO2 capture technology that utilizes electrowinning to achieve low energy consumption for CO2 capture and solvent regeneration. This technology shows competitiveness in energy performance and has the potential for practical application.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Genxiang Wang, Junxiang Chen, Kangkang Li, Junheng Huang, Yichao Huang, Yangjie Liu, Xiang Hu, Baisheng Zhao, Luocai Yi, Timothy W. Jones, Zhenhai Wen
Summary: Electrolytic systhesis technique is considered a promising avenue for producing fuels or chemicals, with the potential to convert CO2 into value-added products for carbonneutral goals. Challenges remain in practice due to the lack of high-performance and cost-effective electrocatalysts, as well as high energy consumption.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Gaveshana A. Sepalage, Hasitha Weerasinghe, Nitish Rai, Noel W. Duffy, Sonia R. Raga, Yvonne Hora, Mei Gao, Doojin Vak, Anthony S. R. Chesman, Udo Bach, Alexandr N. Simonov
Summary: Perovskite solar cell efficiencies are increasing at the laboratory scale, and it has been found that cheaper carbon electrodes can replace gold electrodes to save costs. However, the stability of carbon electrodes in temperature cycling tests is hindered by compatibility issues, which requires further research and improvement.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lesly V. Melendez, Joel Van Embden, Timothy U. Connell, Noel W. Duffy, Daniel E. Gomez
Summary: Using single-particle electron energy loss spectroscopy, the relationship between the geometrical and compositional details of individual nanostructures and their carrier extraction efficiencies is explored. Rational design of metal-semiconductor nanostructures enables efficient energy harvesting, with optimal structures achieving efficiencies as high as 45%.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Matthew Wright, Bruno Vicari Stefani, Timothy W. Jones, Brett Hallam, Anastasia Soeriyadi, Li Wang, Pietro Altermatt, Henry J. Snaith, Gregory J. Wilson, Ruy Sebastian Bonilla
Summary: Perovskite/silicon tandems have achieved efficiency over 30%, but the processing methods used are not suitable for mass production. A shift in mindset is needed to design the silicon bottom cell for scalability and sustainability. This review outlines the design considerations for the bottom silicon cell and highlights the challenges in transitioning to mass production of tandem solar cells.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Mohammed A. Jameel, Terry Chien-Jen Yang, Gregory J. Wilson, Richard A. Evans, Akhil Gupta, Steven J. Langford
Summary: The development of perovskite solar cells has made significant progress, with a focus on electron transport layer and n-type materials. The latest review article provides a detailed overview of organic n-type ETL materials, highlighting key parameters for efficiency and stability of PSCs.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Mei Xian Low, Sruthi Kuriakose, Qian Liu, Patrick D. Taylor, Dashen Dong, Terry Chien-Jen Yang, Taimur Ahmed, Gregory Wilson, Michelle J. S. Spencer, Sherif Abdulkader Tawfik, Sharath Sriram, Madhu Bhaskaran, Prashant Sonar, Sumeet Walia
Summary: By combining with organic materials, researchers have successfully enhanced the optoelectronic performance of black phosphorus (BP) and protected it from environmental degradation. The BP material prepared using inorganic-organic hybrid materials broadened the optical absorption range and increased the sensitivity of photodetection.
ADVANCED PHOTONICS RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shi Tang, Jueming Bing, Jianghui Zheng, Jianbo Tang, Yong Li, Mohannad Mayyas, Yongyoon Cho, Timothy W. Jones, Terry Chien-Jen Yang, Lin Yuan, Mike Tebyetekerwa, Hieu T. Nguyen, Michael P. Nielsen, N. J. Ekins-Daukes, Kourosh Kalantar-Zadeh, Gregory J. Wilson, David R. McKenzie, Shujuan Huang, Anita W. Y. Ho-Baillie
Summary: The power conversion efficiency of metal halide perovskite solar cells fabricated by gas quenching has increased significantly to 25.5% within a decade, with strategies like incorporating potassium iodide and n-hexylammonium bromide being employed to improve grain boundary properties, reduce traps, and enhance the device's built-in potential.
CELL REPORTS PHYSICAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Qi Xiao, Calum Kinnear, Timothy U. Connell, Muhammad Kalim Kashif, Christopher D. Easton, Aaron Seeber, Laure Bourgeois, Gus O. Bonin, Noel W. Duffy, Anthony S. R. Chesman, Daniel E. Gomez
Summary: The study demonstrates a reliable method for preparing alloyed nanoparticles without the need for colloidal synthesis or time-consuming lithography. The alloyed AuPd nanoparticles can be used to enhance the efficiency of electromagnetic perfect absorbers and exhibit high photon-to-energy efficiencies.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Matthew G. Barr, Sylvain Chambon, Adam Fahy, Timothy W. Jones, Matthew A. Marcus, A. L. David Kilcoyne, Paul C. Dastoor, Matthew J. Griffith, Natalie P. Holmes
Summary: The internal structure of nanoparticles can be controlled by adjusting the surface energy difference, allowing for different structures such as core-shell, molecularly intermixed, or shell-core. This approach can be used to customize nanoparticulate colloidal inks for a wide range of functional printing applications, reshaping the nanoengineering toolkit for waterborne colloidal dispersions and printed electronics.
MATERIALS CHEMISTRY FRONTIERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Liangyou Lin, Camilla Lian, Timothy W. Jones, Robert D. Bennett, Blago Mihaylov, Terry Chien-Jen Yang, Jacob Tse-Wei Wang, Bo Chi, Noel W. Duffy, Jinhua Li, Xianbao Wang, Henry J. Snaith, Gregory J. Wilson
Summary: Using transition metal complexes as hole-transport materials can significantly enhance the power conversion efficiency of perovskite solar cells to above 10% and demonstrate excellent photostability.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)