Highly crumpled graphene nano-networks as electrocatalytic counter electrode in photovoltaics

Jae Yup Kim, Jang Yeol Lee, Keun Young Shin, Hansol Jeong, Hae Jung Son, Chul Ho Lee, Jong Hyuk Park, Sang Soo Lee, Jeong Gon Son, Min Jae Ko

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

19 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Highly crumpled graphene-based three dimensional (3D) interconnected and hierarchically porous conducting networks were prepared for application as electrocatalytic counter electrode (CE) in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Finely and hierarchically crumpled graphene was synthesized from Fe2O3/graphene oxide (GO) hybrids via a one-step chemical etching-reduction process with HI solution. The synthesized crumpled graphene exhibited not only 24 times higher specific surface area, but also superior dispersibility in aqueous solution compared to conventional reduced graphene oxide (rGO). Owing to its superior solution processability and comparable electrical conductivity, the crumpled graphene could be assembled into 3D interconnected films on the substrates simply by drop casting, without any binders. In addition, although the crumpled graphene was not modified by dopants or high-temperature annealing, it showed much higher electrocatalytic activity for the I-/I3- redox couple compared to that of rGO, which is mainly attributed to its significantly larger accessible surface area for electrochemical reduction. As a result, the DSSC containing the crumpled graphene CE exhibited 2.8 times enhanced conversion efficiency (η = 5.15%) compared to that containing a rGO electrode (η = 1.86%).

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)342-349
Number of pages8
JournalApplied Catalysis B: Environmental
Volume192
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016 Sept 5

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 Elsevier B.V..

Keywords

  • Counter electrode
  • Crumpled graphene
  • Dye-sensitized solar cell
  • Electrocatalytic activity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Catalysis
  • Environmental Science(all)
  • Process Chemistry and Technology

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