Unusual particle-size-induced promoter-to-poison transition of ZrN in counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells

Authors

Wei Wei, Michigan Technological UniversityFollow
Hui Wang, Michigan Technological University
Yun Hang Hu, Michigan Technological UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-7-2013

Department

Department of Materials Science and Engineering

Abstract

It is well-known that promoter and poison are two contradictory properties of materials. However, in this work, an unusual particle-size-induced promoter-to-poison transition of ZrN has been observed for the counter electrode of poly(3,4-ethylene-dioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). If the primary crystal particle size of ZrN is 37 nm, it plays a promoting role for PEDOT:PSS counter electrodes, leading to a remarkable increase in DSSC power conversion efficiency. In contrast, when its primary crystal particle size is decreased to 21 nm, ZrN becomes a serious poison for PEDOT:PSS counter electrodes. This finding would be important for the development of highly efficient DSSC counter electrodes.

Publisher's Statement

© 2013 The Royal Society of Chemistry. Publisher’s version of record: https://doi.org/10.1039/c3ta13002a

Publication Title

Journal of Materials Chemistry A

Recommended Citation

Wei, W., Wang, H., & Hu, Y. (2013). Unusual particle-size-induced promoter-to-poison transition of ZrN in counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 1(45), 14350-14357. http://doi.org/10.1039/c3ta13002a
Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p/2567