Transition metal doped food waste derived carbon based counter electrode as a cost-effective alternative to Pt-counter electrodes in dye sensitized solar cells

Abstract

Counter electrode is an important component of dye sensitized solar cells. Its function is to regenerate the redox electrolyte and thus complete the circuit. Traditional counter electrodes are made of platinum – a rare and very expensive metal. The use of platinum may affect the cost of the solar cell. Therefore, it is vital to search for cost-effective alternatives to platinum. Hereby we present the application of transition metal doped carbon as platinum free counter electrode in dye sensitized solar cells. Proposed material is prepared from natural organic sources following hydrothermal synthetic methods. The counter electrode is made by doctor blading the paste of doped carbon material on FTO glass. The photovoltaic performance of presented material is compared with that of reference cell made of platinum.