Carbon nitride transparent counter electrode prepared by magnetron sputtering for a dye-sensitized solar cell

Carbon nitride (CNx) films supported on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass are prepared by radio frequency magnetron sputtering, in which the film thicknesses are 90–100 nm, and the element components in the CNx films are in the range of x = 0.15–0.25. The as-prepared CNx is for the first time used as counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), and show a preparation-temperature dependent electrochemical performance. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) demonstrates that there is a higher proportion of sp2 CC and sp3 CN hybridized bonds in CNx-500 (the sample treated at 500 °C) than in CNx-RT (the sample without a heat treatment). It is proposed that the sp2 CC and sp3 C–N hybridized bonds in the CNx films are helpful for improving the electrocatalytic activities in DSSCs. Meanwhile, Raman spectra also prove that CNx-500 has a relatively high graphitization level that means an increasing electrical conductivity. This further explains why the sample after the heat treatment has a higher electrochemical performance in DSSCs. In addition, the as-prepared CNx counter electrodes have a good light transmittance in the visible light region. The results are meaningful for developing low-cost metal-free transparent counter electrodes for DSSCs. [Display omitted] Magnetron sputtered transparent carbon nitride is used as counter electrode in DSSCs, and the electrochemical performance and light transmittance is controllable by preparation temperature.