Characteristics of thermally reduced graphene oxide and applied for dye-sensitized solar cell counter electrode

Ching Yuan Ho, Hong Wen Wang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

33 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Graphene oxide (GO) was synthesized from a flake-type of graphite powder, which was then reduced to a few layers of graphene sheets using the thermal reduction method. The surface morphology, phase crystallization, and defect states of the reduced graphene were determined from an electron microscope equipped with an energy dispersion spectrometer, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and infrared spectra. After graphene formation, the intercalated defects that existed in the GO were removed, and it became crystalline by observing impurity changes and d-spacing. Dye-sensitized solar cells, using reduced graphene as the counter electrode, were fabricated to evaluate the electrolyte activity and charge transport performance. The electrochemical impedance spectra showed that increasing the thermal reduction temperature could achieve faster electron transport and longer electron lifetime, and result in an energy conversion efficiency of approximately 3.4%. Compared to the Pt counter electrode, the low cost of the thermal reduction method suggests that graphene will enjoy a wide range of potential applications in the field of electronic devices.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)147-154
Number of pages8
JournalApplied Surface Science
Volume357
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2015 Dec 1

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Chemistry
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • General Physics and Astronomy
  • Surfaces and Interfaces
  • Surfaces, Coatings and Films

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Characteristics of thermally reduced graphene oxide and applied for dye-sensitized solar cell counter electrode'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this