Review on transition metal compounds based counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract

Commercial application of the dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) depends on great improvement of the power conversion efficiency and reduction of the fabrication cost. Generally, developing low cost counter electrode catalysts to replace the expensive Pt counter electrode is a feasible path to reduce the production cost of DSCs. In this review article, we summarize the recent progress on the transition metal compound based counter electrode catalysts containing carbides, nitrides, oxides, sulfides, phosphide, selenides, borides, silicide, and telluride toward the regeneration of the traditional iodide redox couple. Moreover, the benefits and drawbacks of each kind of CE catalyst are discussed and the research directions to design new counter electrode catalysts in future research are also proposed.