Room-temperature fabrication of graphene films on variable substrates and its use as counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells

Graphene films with controllable thicknesses, electrical and optical properties are fabricated on variable substrates at room temperature by a simple, efficient and low-cost solution-based method. This process is completely compatible with flexible substrates (polyethylene terephthalate, PET), fluorine-doped tin oxide (PTO) conductive glasses, and even glassy carbon electrodes. The graphene films show excellent conductivity and electrochemical activity. The films prepared on FTO conductive glasses, as an alternative to ubiquitously employed platinum-based counter electrodes (CEs) for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), are demonstrated. The results suggest a new start in the direction of graphene CEs for the development of next generation of optoelectronics. (C) 2011 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.