Characterization of screen printed carbon counter electrodes for Co(II)/(III) mediated photoelectrochemical cells

A screen printed carbon electrode associated with Tris(4,4′-di-tert-butyl-2,2′-bipyridine)Cobalt(II) as redox mediator was investigated as possible alternative to the volatile and corrosive iodide/triodide system in dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). We report here a first study on the screen printing technology for the manufacturing of an advanced and stable carbon cathode for dye sensitized solar cell. The electrode surface was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) while the electrochemical response towards the cobalt complex was evaluated by using cyclic voltammetry. Photocurrent–voltage characteristics of DSSCs based on the new cathode/Cobalt complex system were 30% lower than those recorded with Pt/iodide.