Pt/graphene nanocomposites with low Pt-loadings: Synthesis through one- and two-step chemical reduction methods and their use as promising counter electrodes for DSSCs

In this study, one- and two-step chemical reduction methods were compared in terms of the production of Pt/graphene nanocomposites with low platinum (Pt)-loadings. Cyclic voltammetry and electrical impedance analysis indicated that the composites displayed high electrocatalytic activity with respect to the reduction of iodide/triiodide. Furthermore, the Pt/RGO composites were deposited on fluorine-doped tin oxide substrates by drop coating and were applied as counter electrodes (CEs) for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The energy conversion efficiency of the DSSCs based on Pt/RGO CEs (prepared using the one-step reduction method) was only 0.9% lower than that of the Pt CE-based cell.