Korean Journal of Materials Research (한국재료학회지)

Materials Research Society of Korea (한국재료학회)
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Ni Nanoparticles-Graphitic Carbon Nanofiber Composites for Pt-Free Counter Electrode in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

염료감응 태양전지의 비백금 상대전극을 위한 니켈 나노입자-흑연질 탄소나노섬유 복합체

  • Oh, Dong-Hyeun (Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Seoul National University of Science and Technology) ;
  • Koo, Bon-Ryul (Program of Materials Science & Engineering, Convergence Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Biomaterials, Seoul National University of Science and Technology) ;
  • Lee, Yu-Jin (Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Seoul National University of Science and Technology) ;
  • An, HyeLan (Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Seoul National University of Science and Technology) ;
  • Ahn, Hyo-Jin (Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Seoul National University of Science and Technology)
  • 오동현 (서울과학기술대학교 신소재공학과) ;
  • 구본율 (서울과학기술대학교 의공학-바이오소재 융합 협동과정 신소재공학프로그램) ;
  • 이유진 (서울과학기술대학교 신소재공학과) ;
  • 안혜란 (서울과학기술대학교 신소재공학과) ;
  • 안효진 (서울과학기술대학교 신소재공학과)
  • Received : 2016.08.30
  • Accepted : 2016.10.19
  • Published : 2016.11.27
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Abstract

Ni nanoparticles (NPs)-graphitic carbon nanofiber (GCNF) composites were fabricated using an electrospinning method. The amounts of Ni precursor used as catalyst for the catalytic graphitization were controlled at 0, 2, 5, and 8 wt% to improve the photovoltaic performances of the nanoparticles and make them suitable for use as counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). As a result, Ni NPs-GCNF composites that were fabricated with 8 wt% Ni precursors showed a high circuit voltage (0.73 V), high photocurrent density ($14.26mA/cm^2$), and superb power-conversion efficiency (6.72%) when compared to those characteristics of other samples. These performance improvements can be attributed to the reduced charge transport resistance that results from the synergetic effect of the superior catalytic activity of Ni NPs and the efficient charge transfer due to the formation of GCNF with high electrical conductivity. Thus, Ni NPs-GCNF composites may be used as promising counter electrodes in DSSCs.

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References

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