Application of polypyrrole/sodium dodecyl sulfate/carbon nanotube counter electrode for solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells and dye-sensitized solar cells

The replacement of the expensive Pt counter electrode (CE) for solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells (ss-DSSCs) and dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is necessary to reduce cell fabrication cost. With this objective, two CE films PPy + SDS (polypyrrole + sodium dodecyl sulfate as a surfactant), and PPy + SDS + CNT (carbon nanotubes) were prepared by a simple electrochemical polymerization method. These films were effectively used as the CE in DSSCs and ss-DSSCs. Tafel curves and impedance spectroscopy data showed that the PPy + SDS + CNT has a low surface resistance, which causes excellent electrocatalytic activity in both devices. DSSCs with a PPy + SDS + CNT CE show good power conversion efficiency (PCE) compared to ss-DSSCs. Both devices show comparable PEC to the Pt counterpart, and the PPy + SDS + CNT film can be used as a CE for DSSCs and ss-DSSCs and is a viable alternative to a sputtered Pt electrode.