Nitrogen-Doped CN sub(x)/CNTs Heteroelectrocatalysts for Highly Efficient Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

The use of polydopamine as a nitrogen containing precursor to generate catalytically active nitrogen-doped carbon (CN sub(x)) materials on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is reported. These N-doped CN sub(x)/CNT materials display excellent electrocatalytic activity toward the reduction of triiodide electrolyte in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Further, the influence of various synthesis parameters on the catalytic performance of CN sub(x)/CNTs is investigated in detail. The best performing device fabricated with the CN sub(x)/CNTs material delivers power conversion efficiency of 7.3%, which is comparable or slightly higher than that of Pt (7.1%) counter electrode-based DSSC. These CN sub(x)/CNTs materials show great potential to address the issues associated with the Pt electrocatalyst including the high cost and scarcity. The use of polydopamine as a nitrogen containing precursor to generate catalytically active nitrogen-doped carbon materials on carbon nanotubes is reported, which display excellent electrocatalytic activity toward the reduction of triiodide electrolyte in dye-sensitized solar cells and delivers a power conversion efficiency of 7.3%, which is comparable or slightly higher than that of using platinum (7.1%) as electrocatalyst.