A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Biocarbon from brewery residues as a counter electrode catalyst in dye solar cells
Authors: Tiihonen Armi, Siipola Virpi, Lahtinen Katja, Pajari Heikki, Widsten Petri, Tamminen Tarja, Kallio Tanja, Miettunen Kati
Publisher: PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
Publication year: 2021
Journal: Electrochimica Acta
Journal name in source: ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA
Journal acronym: ELECTROCHIM ACTA
Article number: ARTN 137583
Volume: 368
Number of pages: 9
ISSN: 0013-4686
eISSN: 1873-3859
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2020.137583
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.aalto.fi/en/publications/biocarbon-from-brewery-residues-as-a-counter-electrode-catalyst-i
Abstract
We explore biocarbon as a low-cost, abundant, and environmentally friendly replacement for Pt in dye solar cells. We introduce a novel biochar based on brewery residues with good performance and stability potential as a counter electrode in complete dye solar cells, and present the first long-term stability test results of a biocarbon in complete dye solar cells. The hydrothermally carbonized and KOH-activated brewer's spent grain (BSG) offers an extremely high surface area for catalytic reactions (2190 m2/g). Counter electrodes based on this material provide a promising initial performance (efficiency of 3.6 +/- 0.2% for biocarbon solar cells compared to 5.3 +/- 0.2% for reference cells with Pt catalyst) with current production and the total resistance of solar cells very close to that of Pt based solar cells. In an extended accelerated aging test, the best biocarbon dye solar cell maintained over 86% of its initial efficiency for 3000 h. Moreover, the biocarbon reduced the degradation via loss of electrolyte charge carriers during aging. Based on these results, the activated BSG biocarbon provides a promising alternative for Pt catalysts. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
We explore biocarbon as a low-cost, abundant, and environmentally friendly replacement for Pt in dye solar cells. We introduce a novel biochar based on brewery residues with good performance and stability potential as a counter electrode in complete dye solar cells, and present the first long-term stability test results of a biocarbon in complete dye solar cells. The hydrothermally carbonized and KOH-activated brewer's spent grain (BSG) offers an extremely high surface area for catalytic reactions (2190 m2/g). Counter electrodes based on this material provide a promising initial performance (efficiency of 3.6 +/- 0.2% for biocarbon solar cells compared to 5.3 +/- 0.2% for reference cells with Pt catalyst) with current production and the total resistance of solar cells very close to that of Pt based solar cells. In an extended accelerated aging test, the best biocarbon dye solar cell maintained over 86% of its initial efficiency for 3000 h. Moreover, the biocarbon reduced the degradation via loss of electrolyte charge carriers during aging. Based on these results, the activated BSG biocarbon provides a promising alternative for Pt catalysts. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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