Multi-edged wrinkled graphene-like carbon-wrapped carbon nanotubes and highly conductive Pt-free counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells

Multi-edged wrinkled graphene-like carbon-wrapped carbon nanotubes (GWC) is demonstrated as a Pt-free counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). GWC, with wrinkled graphene-like surface and one-dimensional tubular structure, exhibits significant electrocatalytic activity toward the reduction of triiodide due to the highly defective multi-edges and good conductivity. Raman spectroscopy studies suggest the presence of significantly higher defects in the GWC sample in comparison to multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and hydrogen exfoliated graphene (HEG). Four-probe measurement studies show better specific resistance (11.30 Ω cm), sheet resistance (4.52 × 103 Ωsq−1), and conductivity (8.84 Sm−1) of GWC film compared to HEG, but less compared to MWNTs. The impact of GWC properties on DSSC performance is studied by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The GWC counter electrode shows enhanced catalytic activity and power conversion efficiency (6.15 %) compared to that of MWNTs (5.12 %) and HEG (5.42 %). We also compare the catalytic activity and power conversion efficiency of GWC with Pt and find approaching that of Pt (6.68 %).