Novel gamma-irradiated chitosan-doped reduced graphene-CuInS2 composites as counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells

Areerob, Yonrapach; Hamontree, Chaowalit; Sricharoen, Phitchan; Limchoowong, Nunticha; Laksee, Sakchai; Oh, Won Chun; Pattarith, Kongsak

doi:10.1039/d2ra01749k

Novel gamma-irradiated chitosan-doped reduced graphene-CuInS2 composites as counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells

Author(s)

Areerob, Yonrapach

Hamontree, Chaowalit

Sricharoen, Phitchan

Limchoowong, Nunticha

Laksee, Sakchai

Oh, Won Chun

Pattarith, Kongsak

Date Issued

May 20, 2022

Type

Article

DOI

10.1039/d2ra01749k

Abstract

To address the issues associated with traditional counter electrodes, a novel gamma-irradiated chitosan-doped reduced graphene-CuInS2 composite (Chi@RGO-CIS) was used as the counter electrode (CE). The system was fabricated following a simple hydrothermal method. The prepared Chi@RGO-CIS was characterized by various spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. The synergistic effect between chitosan, CuInS2, and reduced graphene oxide can help in producing a large surface area. It can also help in the generation of catalytic sites toward I-/I3-redox electrolytes. We used a composite (based on electrical considerations) to study the effect of the amount of graphene on the characteristics and photovoltaic efficiency of the Chi@RGO-CIS composites. The solar cell assembled with 1.5% Chi@RGO-CIS exhibited an efficiency of 12.21%. The efficiency was higher than that of a Pt-based device (9.96%) fabricated under the same conditions. Hence, Chi@RGO-CIS can be potentially used as the CE of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). It can be used as a substitute for Pt in DSSCs.

Citation

Rsc Advances, 12(24), 15427-15434, 2022