A paper-based electrode using a graphene dot/PEDOT:PSS composite for flexible solar cells

Chuan Pei Lee, Kun Yu Lai, Chin An Lin, Chun Ting Li, Kuo Chuan Ho, Chih I. Wu, Shu Ping Lau, Jr Hau He

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

142 Scopus citations

Abstract

We have synthesized a metal-free composite ink that contains graphene dots (GDs) and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) that can be used on paper to serve as the counter electrode in a flexible dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). This paper-based GD/PEDOT:PSS electrode is low-cost, light-weight, flexible, environmentally friendly, and easy to cut and process for device fabrication. We determined the GD/PEDOT:PSS composite effectively fills the dense micro-pores in the paper substrate, which leads to improved carrier transport in the electrode and a 3-fold enhanced cell efficiency as compared to the paper electrode made with sputtered Pt. Moreover, the DSSC with the paper electrode featuring the GD/PEDOT:PSS composite did not fail in photovoltaic tests even after bending the electrode 150 times, whereas the device made with the Pt-based paper electrode decreased in efficiency by 45% after such manipulation. These exceptional properties make the metal-free GD/PEDOT:PSS composite ink a promising electrode material for a wide variety of flexible electronic applications.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)260-267
Number of pages8
JournalNano Energy
Volume36
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jun 2017

Keywords

  • Conducting polymer
  • Dye-sensitized solar cell
  • Flexible electrode
  • Graphene dots
  • Metal-free counter electrode
  • Paper electrode

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