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Fabrication of activated coconut shell charcoal and titanium dioxide nanoparticle composite counter electrode for quantum dot sensitized solar cells by doctor blade technique.

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Title: Fabrication of activated coconut shell charcoal and titanium dioxide nanoparticle composite counter electrode for quantum dot sensitized solar cells by doctor blade technique.
Authors: Sandamali, W. I.1,2 (AUTHOR) ishara.we@nifs.ac.lk, Senadeera, G. K. R.1,2 (AUTHOR), Perera, V. P. S.1 (AUTHOR), Dissanayake, M. A. K. L.2 (AUTHOR), Kumara, G. R. A.2 (AUTHOR), Medagedara, A. D. T.2 (AUTHOR), Bandara, T. M. W. J.3 (AUTHOR)
Source: Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing. May2026, Vol. 132 Issue 5, p1-21. 21p.
Subjects: Titanium dioxide nanoparticles, Activated carbon, Thin film deposition, Electrolytes, Impedance spectroscopy, Cathodes, Solar cells, Photovoltaic power generation
Abstract: A composite counter electrode (CE) based on activated coconut shell charcoal (AC) and TiO2 nanoparticles (AC/TiO2) was developed for quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) using the doctor blade technique. The fabrication conditions of the CEs were optimized by varying the material ratios, thermal treatment parameters, and CE thickness. The AC/TiO2 CEs were paired with CdS quantum dot-sensitized photoanodes and a polysulfide electrolyte to construct QDSSCs, and their performance was assessed. Morphological and structural analyses of the CEs were performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Raman spectroscopy. Chemical analysis of the CEs was carried out using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and FTIR spectroscopy. The photovoltaic performance of the QDSSCs was assessed using current density-voltage (J-V) characteristics and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). CdS QDSSCs with AC/TiO2 counter electrodes (CEs) achieved an overall power conversion efficiency of 1.73%, reflecting a 36.2% improvement over QDSSCs that used a traditional platinum (Pt) CE, which had an efficiency of 1.27%. The catalytic performance of the CEs was investigated through EIS, Tafel polarization, and cyclic voltammetry (CV) tests. These evaluations demonstrated a significant reduction in the charge transfer resistance at the electrolyte/CE interface and improved catalytic activity in the reduction of oxidized polysulfide electrolyte species with AC/TiO2 CEs compared to the Pt CE. The findings of this study suggest that AC/TiO2 CE shows significant potential as a counter electrode in QDSSCs that employ polysulfide electrolytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Engineering Source
Description
Abstract:A composite counter electrode (CE) based on activated coconut shell charcoal (AC) and TiO2 nanoparticles (AC/TiO2) was developed for quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) using the doctor blade technique. The fabrication conditions of the CEs were optimized by varying the material ratios, thermal treatment parameters, and CE thickness. The AC/TiO2 CEs were paired with CdS quantum dot-sensitized photoanodes and a polysulfide electrolyte to construct QDSSCs, and their performance was assessed. Morphological and structural analyses of the CEs were performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Raman spectroscopy. Chemical analysis of the CEs was carried out using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and FTIR spectroscopy. The photovoltaic performance of the QDSSCs was assessed using current density-voltage (J-V) characteristics and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). CdS QDSSCs with AC/TiO2 counter electrodes (CEs) achieved an overall power conversion efficiency of 1.73%, reflecting a 36.2% improvement over QDSSCs that used a traditional platinum (Pt) CE, which had an efficiency of 1.27%. The catalytic performance of the CEs was investigated through EIS, Tafel polarization, and cyclic voltammetry (CV) tests. These evaluations demonstrated a significant reduction in the charge transfer resistance at the electrolyte/CE interface and improved catalytic activity in the reduction of oxidized polysulfide electrolyte species with AC/TiO2 CEs compared to the Pt CE. The findings of this study suggest that AC/TiO2 CE shows significant potential as a counter electrode in QDSSCs that employ polysulfide electrolytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:09478396
DOI:10.1007/s00339-026-09572-5