Fabrication of high performance Pt/Ti counter electrodes on Ti mesh for flexible large-area dye-sensitized solar cells

High performance and homogeneous platinum (Pt) nanoparticles is electrodeposited onto titanium (Ti) mesh to form counter electrodes for use in large-area flexible dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The obtained Pt/Ti counter electrode shows high electrocatalytic activity for the I3−/I− redox reaction, low charge transfer resistance (49.57 Ω cm2 with an area of 80 cm2) and good light transmittance (92.31%). Based on the counter electrode, a light-to-electric energy conversion efficiency of 6.13% is achieved for a flexible DSSC with an area of 80 cm2, and a maximum power output of 0.443 W is reached for a flexible DSSC with an area of 160 cm2, under an outdoors natural light irradiation with an intensity of 55 mW cm−2. The present findings should accelerate the practical application of flexible DSSCs.

► Pt/Ti electrode is prepared by electrodepositing platinum on titanium mesh. ► Pt/Ti electrode shows high catalytic activity and low electric resistance. ► A large-area flexible DSSC is assembled by using the Pt/Ti mesh as counter electrode. ► The DSSC shows 443 mW power output (160 cm2) and 6.13% efficiency (80 cm2) under outdoors.