Carbon nanohorns based counter electrodes developed by spray method for dye sensitized solar cells

•Single wall carbon nanohorns (SWCNHs) were used for dye sensitized solar cell applications.•Counter electrodes were developed by spray coat method.•SWCNHs demonstrated higher reduction peak current density and high surface area.•The efficiency of SWCNHs is higher (4.09%) than that of graphene nanop...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Solar energy Vol. 133; pp. 524 - 532
Main Authors:	Susmitha, K., Kumari, M. Mamata, Berkmans, A. Joseph, Kumar, M. Naresh, Giribabu, L., Manorama, S.V., Raghavender, M.
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	New York Elsevier Ltd 01-08-2016 Pergamon Press Inc
Subjects:	Carbon Carbon nanohorns Catalysis Dye sensitized solar cell Electrochemical impedance spectroscopic studies Electrodes Energy efficiency Photovoltaic cells Pt-free counter electrodes Solar energy Electrochemical impedance spectroscopic studies Pt-free counter electrodes Carbon nanohorns Dye sensitized solar cell
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Summary:	•Single wall carbon nanohorns (SWCNHs) were used for dye sensitized solar cell applications.•Counter electrodes were developed by spray coat method.•SWCNHs demonstrated higher reduction peak current density and high surface area.•The efficiency of SWCNHs is higher (4.09%) than that of graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) of 3.13%.•Series resistance is lower for SWCNH compared to GNP, reflected in its increase of current density values. The manuscript presents an analysis of the single wall carbon nanohorns (SWCNH) and graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) decorated counter electrodes for Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs) application. The systematic catalytic activity and electrochemical performance of the SWCNH and GNP are also studied. SWCNH loaded DSSC showed higher photovoltaic conversion efficiency (4.09%) than the GNP (3.13%) which is attributed to higher average surface roughness area, lower series, charge transfer resistance and electrolyte diffusion impedance values. In addition, the conversion efficiencies increase with higher load of SWCNH up to 3.0mg. Therefore, the SWCNH material has great potential for application as low-cost counter electrode material for reduction of iodide/tri-iodide redox couple in dye sensitized solar cells.
ISSN:	0038-092X 1471-1257
DOI:	10.1016/j.solener.2016.03.059