A quaternary nanocomposite as an efficient counter electrode for Pt-free Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC)

Solar Cells are one of the most promising energy conversion sources available. But most solar cells use conventional Pt as a counter electrode (CE) which is very costly, scarce and corrosive in liquid medium. So, an alternative novel quaternary nanocomposite of rGO Reduced graphene oxide (rGO)/ Manganese dioxide (MnO2)/ Nickel oxide (NiO)/Copper oxide (CuO) (RMNCu) was employed under varied photoanodes like hydrothermally synthesized Titanium dioxide (TiO2), Zinc oxide (ZnO) and TiO2/ZnO with N-719 as dye matrix over Fluorine-doped Tin Oxide (FTO) substrate. The fabricated Dye-Sensitised Solar Cell (DSSCs) were examined under functional, optical and photovoltaic studies. It was found that the prepared DSSC with RMNCu as CE had a Power Conversion Efficiencies (PCE) of 93.31% of Pt-CE in the same ambience. The uplifted conversion efficiency promotes RMNCu as a promising candidate for counter electrodes for DSSC.