Optically Transparent Gold Nanoparticles for DSSC Counter-Electrode: An Electrochemical Characterization

<div><p>A gold nanoparticles transparent electrode was realized by chemical reduction. This work aims to compare the transparent gold nanoparticles electrode with a more commonly utilized gold-film-coated electrode in order to investigate its potential use as counter-electrode (CE) in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). A series of DSSC devices, utilizing I−/I3− and Co(III)/(II) polypyridine redox mediators [Co(dtb)3]3+/2+; dtb = 4,4′ditert-butyl-2,2′-bipyridine)], were evaluated. The investigation focused firstly on the structural characterization of the deposited gold layers and then on the electrochemical study. The novelty of the work is the realization of a gold nanoparticles CE that reached 80% of average visible transmittance. We finally examined the performance of the transparent gold nanoparticles CE in DSSC devices. A maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 4.56% was obtained with a commercial I−/I3−-based electrolyte, while a maximum 3.1% of PCE was obtained with the homemade Co-based electrolyte.</p><p> </p></div><h2>Other Information</h2> <p> Published in: Molecules<br> License: <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" target="_blank">https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/</a><br>See article on publisher's website: <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/molecules27134178" target="_blank">https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/molecules27134178</a></p>