A novel counter electrode based on hierarchical porous carbon for dye-sensitized solar cells

Hierarchical porous carbons (HPC) were synthesized by a combination of self-assembly and chemical activation method. A mesoporous carbon with large-size pore was used as raw materials. N-2 sorption measurement indicated that plenty of micropores generated within the mesopore wall in the mesoporous carbon during KOH activation. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurement demonstrated a high electrocatalytic activity of HPC electrode for triiodide reduction. The overall conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells with HPC counter electrode was 6.48%, which is similar to that of the device with conventional Pt counter electrode.