Use Triton X100 as additive for mesoporous carbon counter electrode to improve the photoelectric properties of dye-sensitized solar cells

The counter electrodes have been prepared using mesoporous carbon (MC) derived from phenolic resin as catalytic material through a low temperature technology, emphasizing on investigation of the effect of Triton X-100 in MC counter electrode on the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). Addition of Triton X100 in MC electrode strengthened its catalytic activity for the triiodide and decreased its sheet resistance, finally result in increased fill factor and short circuit photocurrent density of corresponding DSCs. The conversion efficiency of DSCs was finally increased from 4.96 % to 5.53%. Improved performances were mainly attributed to the improvement of the contact interface between MC layer and substrate as well as the connection of between MC particles.