Seasoning effect of dye-sensitized solar cells with different counter electrodes

Time dependent characteristics of the dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) having different counter electrodes were studied. For this study, three different types of counter electrodes CNT, sputtered platinum and electroplated platinum were used. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was used to study the aging effect of three counter electrode through measuring electrochemical properties of counter electrode/electrolyte interface as a function of time. In the case of DSSC with CNT counter electrode, photoelectric conversion efficiency was almost constant. On the other hand, DSSC with sputtered Pt/electroplated Pt counter electrode, decline in efficiency was observed. EIS measured that, decline in efficiency of sputtered Pt/electroplated Pt DSSC was due to increase in the series resistance.