Integration of the inexpensive CuNWs based transparent counter electrode with dye sensitized photo sensors

Abstract

We demonstrate, a newly developed, inexpensive transparent conducting electrode (TCE) based on copper nanowires (CuNWs) combined with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) as a cathode for Dye Sensitized Photo Sensors (DSPSs). CuNWs were synthesized and deposited in the form of a layer on glass substrates, followed by deposition of rGO and PEDOT:PSS layers, to fabricate hybrid transparent conducting electrodes (TCEs). The hybrid electrodes exhibited an average sheet resistance of 20 Ω cm⁻². These TCEs have been successfully integrated with the DSPSs, which were later evaluated for their performance in terms of photo-conductive sensitivity and responsivity. A significant increase in the current and voltage was observed as a function of elevated light intensity. The average response time and reset time of the DSPSs was found to be 118 ms and 28 ms, respectively. Hence it can be said that the CuNWs/rGO/PEDOT:PSS based transparent conducting electrode could potentially be a viable alternative to the expensive ITO/Pt based cathode, in DSPSs.