2-D Mxene flakes as potential replacement for both TCO and Pt layers for Dye-Sensitized Solar cell

The counter electrode (CE) containing catalyst layer and transparent conducting oxide (TCO) layer is by far the most expensive components in Dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC) due to use of rare earth element such as Pt. The potential replacement of both the TCO layer and Pt-based catalyst would essentially pave the way to mass commercialization of the technology of DSSC. In this investigation, an attempt has been made to replace both TCO and Pt with a single layer of delaminated 2-D MXene (Ti3C2) being produced by the leaching method which acted as both conducting layer and catalyst. Furthermore, the thickness of Ti3C2 has been optimized for maximum conversion efficiency. The TCO-Pt-free MXene based CEat optimum thickness exhibited a remarkable 8.68% conversion efficiency outperforming the standard TCO-Pt-based CE by 4.03%. The high efficiency is due to high conductivity, high available catalytic cites due to delaminated structure, and good catalytic activity of Ti3C2 towards iodide/triiodide electrolyte. © 2021 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l.