Graphene/Polyaniline Nanocomposite Multilayer Counter Electrode by Inserted Polyaniline of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract

Polyaniline (PANI) conducting polymer and graphene are preferred counter electrode (CE) materials for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC). Graphene/PANI nanocomposite multilayer CE is created through the insertion of a PANI layer. It has been demonstrated as a platinum-free counter electrode for cost-efficient DSSCs. Here, graphene/PANI nanocomposite and PANI were synthesized by electro-polymerization from a solution containing aniline monomers and graphene. Graphene/PANI nanocomposite multilayer CE showed improved electrical conductivity, interface charge transfer rate, and catalytic activity on I₃⁻ reduction compared with the Pt CE. The high electro-catalytic ability of graphene/PANI nanocomposite multilayer CE was demonstrated by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.

Keywords:

• polyaniline
• graphene
• dye-sensitized solar cells
• electro-polymerization
• counter electrode

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the Basic Science Research Program, through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF), funded by the Ministry of Science, ICT & Future Planning (2012R1A1A3010655).