Applications of Cu@C Nanoparticles in New Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract

To enhance the efficiency of a newly developing dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC), the Cu@C (Cusize=7and 20 nm) core-shell nanoparticles-dispersed molten salt-conjugated electrolyte has been studied. Experimentally, the efficiencies (η) of the DSSC are in the range of 2.70–4.09% with a short-circuit photocurrent density (JSC) of 5.775–9.910 mA/cm2. Interestingly, it is found that dispersion of 1% of the Cu@C (Cusize=7 nm) nanoparticles in the molten salt-(1,2-dimethyl-3-propylimidazolium iodide (DMPII)) conjugated electrolyte results in an enhancement (about 11%) of theη(4.06%). Greater fractions (3–10%) of the Cu@C nanoparticles dispersed in the molten salt cause a poor performance (lowerJSCandη) of the DSSC possibly due to interference of the internal electron transportation routes in the DSSC by oxidation of Cu withI2originally in the electrolyte.