Enhanced catalytic activity of polyethylenedioxythiophene towards tri-iodide reduction in DSSCs via 1-dimensional alignment using hollow carbon nanofibers

Here, we report a highly conducting 1-dimensionally (1-D) aligned polyethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT) along the inner and outer surfaces of a hollow carbon nanofiber (CNF) and its application as a counter electrode in a dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC). The hybrid material (CP-25) displays a conversi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nanoscale 2014-09, Vol.6 (17), p.10332-10339
Main Authors: Anothumakkool, Bihag, Game, Onkar, Bhange, Siddheshwar N, Kumari, Tanya, Ogale, Satishchandra B, Kurungot, Sreekumar
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Here, we report a highly conducting 1-dimensionally (1-D) aligned polyethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT) along the inner and outer surfaces of a hollow carbon nanofiber (CNF) and its application as a counter electrode in a dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC). The hybrid material (CP-25) displays a conversion efficiency of 7.16% compared to 7.30% for the standard Pt counter electrode, 4.48% for bulk PEDOT and 5.56% for CNF. The enhanced conversion efficiency of CP-25 is attributed to the accomplishment of high conductivity and surface area of PEDOT through the 1-D alignment compared to its bulk counterpart. Reduced charge transfer resistance and high conductivity of CP-25 could be proven by cyclic voltammetry, impedance analysis and Tafel experiments. Further, through a long-term stability test involving efficiency profiling for 20 days, it is observed that CP-25 possesses excellent durability compared to the bulk PEDOT.
ISSN:2040-3364
2040-3372
DOI:10.1039/c4nr00717d