A Novel Preparation of Nano-Copper Chalcogenide (CuS)-based Flexible Counter Electrode.

Copper nanowires (CuNWs) are used to prepare flexible, transparent conducting substrates due to their low cost and ease of fabrication on a large area. A CuNW/polymer composite substrate was prepared and vulcanized to create a novel flexible nano-CuS/polymer composite substrate. The physical and photovoltaic properties of the substrate can be controlled by tuning the concentration of CuNW dispersion during the preparation of CuNWs and nano CuS films.

Increased power conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells with counter electrodes based on carbon materials.

The good catalytic activity, resistance to iodine corrosion, and stability of carbon materials make them ideally suited for the fabrication of counter electrodes used in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Different carbon materials have been used to make counter electrodes, and each has its own advantages, such as good film formation or high electric conductivity. Herein, various carbon materials were mixed and employed for preparing counter electrodes in DSSCs.