A non-platinum counter electrode, MnNx/C, for dye-sensitized solar cell applications

A non-platinum metal catalyst, MnNx/C was synthesized via the high-pressure pyrolysis route. The combination of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) studies indicated the presence of Mn in +2 oxidation state surrounded by four N atoms. The peak-to-peak separation (ΔEp) of the more negative peak pair observed for I3−/I− redox couple over MnNx/C catalyst was 20 mV lower than that of the Pt catalyst, indicating high reversibility of the redox couple over MnNx/C catalyst. The charge transfer resistance of the MnNx/C electrode, as measured by the impedance spectroscopy, is ∼ 2 Ω higher than that of Pt, which resulted slightly lower short circuit current (Jsc) value for MnNx/C over Pt, however the fill factor (FF) and power conversion efficiency (PCE) values of MnNx/C was slightly higher and comparable to that of Pt respectively. Hence; replacing Pt with MnNx/C would decrease the cost of DSSCs.