Low-cost electrospun WC/C composite nanofiber as a powerful platinum-free counter electrode for dye sensitized solar cell
By Jeong, Inyoung; Lee, Jaehyuk; Joseph, K.L. Vincent; Lee, Hyung Ik; Kim, Jin Kon; Yoon, Songhun & Lee, Jinwoo
Published in Nano Energy
NULL
2014
Abstract
Tungsten carbide/carbon (WC/C) composite nanofibers were successfully prepared through electrospinning followed by a one-step heat treatment using in-situ carburization. The WC/C nanofibers were applied to low-cost and platinum-free counter electrodes for dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), and their catalytic activities were investigated and compared to platinum (Pt) CEs for triiodide/iodide (I3-/I-) as well as organic disulfide/thiolate (T2/T-) electrolytes. When WC/C nanofibers are used as the CE catalyst in iodine electrolytes, the DSSCs exhibited a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 7.77%, corresponding to 96% of that of Pt CEs. In the case of T2/T- redox couples, the DSSCs based on WC/C nanofibers achieved PCE of 5.85%, which is almost twice that of Pt (3.07%). The high catalytic activities of WC/C nanofibers are attributed to synergetic effects from the combination of catalytically active WC and one-dimensional (1D) conductive carbon acting as an efficient charge transport pathway. In addition, spray-coated WC/C nanofiber CE films have a three-dimensional porous network, enhancing the permeation of the electrolyte into the CE film and the diffusion of redox couples. The electrospinning process used for the synthesis of the WC/C nanofibers is facile and scalable and is therefore promising for the commercialization of DSSCs.
Microsoft is Ending Support for Windows 7
Microsoft will discontinue support for Windows 7 on January 14, 2020 which means Gamry will also be discontinuing support for Windows 7. If you are upgrading to Windows 10, like many companies and institutions, you need to be running Version 7 of our s oftware . Please note that only USB and Ethernet-based instruments can run in Version 7. Eligible users can download the latest version of our software through our online Client Portal .
If you haven't already registered your instrument, you can do so through the Client Portal .
Please email Technical Support if you have any questions regarding this transition. Please be sure to include your instrument model and serial number when contacting us.