Electrochemically exfoliated graphene/PEDOT composite films as efficient Pt-free counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells

• Electrochemically exfoliated graphene offers high quality graphene flakes.
• Graphene deposition on FTO electrodes by solution process.
• Combination with electrochemically deposited PEDOT.
• Construction of counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells.
• Very efficient electrocatalyst outperforming Pt.

High quality graphene was produced by electrochemical exfoliation of graphite. The obtained material was dispersible in several organic solvents and when applied on a Si/SiO2 substrate it formed thin sheets mostly of 1–3 layers with lateral dimensions ranging between 1 and 10 μm. The number of defects in these sheets was quite low as detected by Raman spectroscopy. Graphene was transferred on FTO electrodes by its dispersion in isopropanol and produced thin transparent films, which were combined with electrochemically deposited PEDOT and were used as counter electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells. The synergy between the two materials was remarkable and the obtained hybrid electrocatalyst outperformed standard Pt nanoparticle electrocatalyst.

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