Solution-processable rGO-Pt nanohybrids synthesized in an aqueous fructose solution for transparent and efficient dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract

In this study, we developed a green and facile approach to efficiently and stably synthesize platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) on the surface of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) based on oxidized fructose, using a liquid plasma reduction under atmospheric pressure near room temperature. The developed method excludes toxic reductants and noble gases from the synthesis process. PtNPs with radii ranging from 1 to 3.5 nm are stably and uniformly hybridized on the surface of rGO after the co-reduction of Pt precursor ions and graphene oxide to Pt atoms and rGO, respectively. Dye-sensitized solar cells that exploit the PtNPs/rGO nanohybrid as the counter electrode, which were prepared with two different PtNPs/rGO contents in isopropyl alcohol, exhibit power conversion efficiencies of 7.04% and 7.26%, respectively. These efficiencies are comparable with that of 7.24% for the device equipped with a state-of-the-art counter electrode. The obtained efficiencies are ascribed to the high electrochemical catalytic activity and high electrical conductivity of the developed PtNPs/rGO nanohybrid materials. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.