Towards an all-polymer cathode for dye sensitized photovoltaic cells

Highly conducting conjugated polymer composite was deposited by vapour phase polymerization. Poly[3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene:para-toluenesulfonate] (PEDOT:PTS) itself was used as the counter electrode in a dye sensitized solar cell. The maximum photocurrent of 9.7 mA/cm(2), open circuit voltage of 759 mV, fill factor of 0.71 with a power conversion efficiency of 5.25% were observed for glass based wet type dye sensitized solar cell, under illumination of 100 mW/cm(2). It was observed that the resistance, during operation of the dye sensitized solar cells, due to the 1((3) over bar) conversion was less with PEDOT:PTS coated cathodes than with standard platinum coated fluorine doped tin oxide and was confirmed by steady state electrochemical measurements. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.