Electroless Platinum Counter Electrode for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells by Using Self-Assembly Monolayer Modification

In this study, a cost-effective and low temperature wet process has been developed for the fabrication of a Pt counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) with superior coating selectivity by means of self-assembly monolayer modification and electroless deposition. Using such Pt counter electrode prepared by our method, it is easy to deposit a Pt thin film under ambient atmosphere and low temperature without a high vacuum chamber and the acceptable charge-transfer resistance of 1.24 Omega cm(2) is obtained. Moreover, the DSSC exhibited improved performance compared to the DSSC with a sputtered Pt counter electrode. (C) 2010 The Electrochemical Society. [DOI: 10.1149/1.3477938] All rights reserved.