The maximum limiting performance improved counter electrode based on a porous fluorine doped tin oxide conductive framework for dye-sensitized solar cells.

A novel porous fluorine doped tin oxide (PFTO) conductive framework was introduced to counter electrodes (CEs) for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). When modified by platinum (Pt) or carbon (C), the PFTO conductive framework displays high catalytic activity to I(-)/I3(-) redox couples. Power conversion efficiencies of 6.09% and 5.81% were obtained in the DSSCs based on Pt and C modified PFTO CEs respectively, which were close to that of DSSCs with Pt coated FTO glass (6.05%) and Pt sheet (6.26%) CEs. Maximum limiting performances of the CEs were obtained from the polarization curves. The CE based on PFTO showed higher maximum limiting power conversion efficiency (∼20%) compared with the planar FTO substrate Pt CE (∼18%), with the increase of its surface area and electrocatalytic activity.