title: Reduced graphene oxide/macrocyclic iron complex hybrid materials as counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells.
abstract: A novel series of reduced graphene oxide (RGO)/macrocyclic iron (Fe) complex hybrid materials were synthesized and then used in the production of counter electrodes (CEs) for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The electrode properties of various CEs were comprehensively analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and cyclic voltammetry analyses. DSSCs, based on various CEs, were characterized using current density-voltage, incident monochromatic photon-to-current conversion efficiency, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements. DSSCs fabricated using the RGO/macrocyclic Fe nanocomposite CEs yielded an efficiency of 6.75%. The RGO/Fe CEs exhibited efficient electrocatalytic capability because catalytic Fe particles were uniformly distributed on the surface of RGO. The results indicated that a DSSC with a RGO/Fe CE can exhibit an efficiency comparable to that of a platinum (Pt) CE DSSC and can therefore replace conventional Pt CE DSSCs to lower the cost of solar cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Opto-Electronic Engineering, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien 97401, Taiwan. Electronic address: cht@mail.ndhu.edu.tw.
authors.forename: Chih-Hung
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.affiliation: Department of Opto-Electronic Engineering, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien 97401, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Wei-Chih
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 24205, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Wun-Shiuan
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Opto-Electronic Engineering, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien 97401, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chun-Jyun
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Shih
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 24205, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Wen-Feng
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Chi
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 24205, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yu-Chung
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 24205, Taiwan. Electronic address: 084916@mail.fju.edu.tw.
authors.forename: Yuan-Hsiang
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Yu
keywords: Counter electrode; Dye-sensitized solar cells; Graphene oxide; Hybrid materials; Macrocyclic iron complex