Electroless platinum counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells by using self-assembly monolayer modification

Abstract

In this study, a cost-effective and low temperature wet process has been developed for the fabrication of a Pt counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) with superior coating selectivity by means of self-assembly monolayer modification and electroless deposition. Using such Pt counter electrode prepared by our method, it is easy to deposit a Pt thin film under ambient atmosphere and low temperature without a high vacuum chamber and the acceptable charge-transfer resistance of 1.24 cm2 is obtained. Moreover, the DSSC exhibited improved performance compared to the DSSC with a sputtered Pt counter electrode. © 2010 The Electrochemical Society.