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27-11-2017 | Energy materials

Investigation of suitable binder combination and electrochemical charge transfer dynamics of vanadium carbide nanoparticles-based counter electrode in Pt-free dye-sensitized solar cell

Authors: Paranthaman Vijayakumar, Rajamanickam Govindaraj, Narendhiran Santhosh, Muthu Senthil Pandian, Alagarsamy Pandikumar, Perumalsamy Ramasamy

Published in: Journal of Materials Science | Issue 6/2018

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Abstract

We have fabricated vanadium carbide counter electrode (CE), and we have investigated suitable binder combination (conductive carbon/N-methyl pyrrolidone (CC/NMP), NMP, CC/IPA (isopropanol)) material for increasing bonding strength, crack-free coated films, high conductivity and highly catalytic activity functions on the fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass substrate for the redox reaction at the counter electrode of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The power conversion efficiency of 3.9% is obtained for vanadium carbide–CC/NMP binder, comparable performance to the traditional Pt-based CE (4.0%). Based on the electrochemical investigation and current–voltage measurement, the comparable efficiency was achieved by the higher current density (J _sc) and lower charge transfer resistance (R _ct) due to the CC/NMP binder which is increasing bonding strength between CE materials and FTO. The present investigations open promising ways to the further movement for substantial amount of production of traditional Pt-free DSSC.

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Title: Investigation of suitable binder combination and electrochemical charge transfer dynamics of vanadium carbide nanoparticles-based counter electrode in Pt-free dye-sensitized solar cell
Authors: Paranthaman Vijayakumar
Rajamanickam Govindaraj
Narendhiran Santhosh
Muthu Senthil Pandian
Alagarsamy Pandikumar
Perumalsamy Ramasamy
Publication date: 27-11-2017
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Materials Science / Issue 6/2018
Print ISSN: 0022-2461
Electronic ISSN: 1573-4803
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-017-1843-6

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