Characteristics of Thermally Reduced Graphene Oxide Thin Film as DSSC Counter Electrode

Abstract

We report characteristics of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) as a counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). The RGO thin films were prepared on FTO (Fluorine-doped Tin Oxide) substrates and followed by a reduction process. The RGO film was used as a counter electrode in a DSSC device, with a structure of FTO/TiO2/ruthenium dye/mosalyte/RGO/FTO. UV-Vis measurements show an increasing absorption spectrum of RGO film after thermal reduction process and the FT-IR spectrum confirms a removal of the oxygen containing groups after thermal reduction process. The efficiency (η) of the DSSC that applied RGO film as a counter electrode is 0.96%.