Preparation and Characterization of Nano-Polyaniline Film on ITO Conductive Glass by Electrochemical Polymerization

Polyaniline (PANI) films were synthesized on a conducting ITO glass by potentiostatic techniques to construct a low-cost counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). The compact layer, nanoparticles, nanorods- and fibrils were observed on the top of PANI films with different constant potentials by SEM. Then the conductivity test illuminated that a polyaniline film with the highest conductivity was electrodeposited at 1.0 V. Finally, the photoelectric measurement showed that the energy conversion efficiency of DSSC with the PANI electrode was increased with the potential decreasing. And the efficiency of DSSC with PANI counter electrode at 1.0 V was higher than that with Pt electrode, owing to the high surface area, high conductivity, and excellent catalytic activity of PANI electrode. Therefore, the PANI counter electrode with excellent catalytic performance is a potential substitute for platinized electrode to save cost of DSSC.