Towards an all-polymer cathode for dye sensitized photovoltaic cells

Abstract 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 I 3 − 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.