Well-dispersed PEDOT:PSS/graphene nanocomposites synthesized by in situ polymerization as counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells

Preparation of graphene composite material suitable for drop-coating on FTO conductive glasses in ambient conditions is reported. Highly dispersed PEDOT:PSS/graphene composites were synthesized by in situ polymerization of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) using aqueous graphene dispersions as a precursor without the need for further reducing steps. The structural properties of the PEDOT:PSS/graphene were investigated by transmission electron microscope and FT-IR spectrometry. Graphene sheets as the support material likely provided increased active sites for the polymerization of EDOT. The graphene sheets were homogeneously coated by PEDOT:PSS. Drop-coating the solution of PEDOT:PSS/graphene nanocomposites onto FTO glass yielded graphene composite counter electrodes (CEs) useful for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Both in cyclic voltammetry measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, the composite CEs exhibited good catalytic activity. The DSSCs based on PEDOT:PSS/graphene CEs showed a conversion efficiency of 4.66 %, comparable to platinum CE-based cells which showed a conversion efficiency of 5.94 %.