Crystalline poly(triazine imide) based g-CN as an efficient electrocatalyst for counter electrodes of dye-sensitized solar cells using a triiodide/iodide redox electrolyte

Abstract

We report utilization of graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN) as an electrocatalyst for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Crystalline poly(triazine imide) based g-CN was synthesized via a modified ionothermal method, and deposited onto the counter electrodes along with a conductive additive and a sacrificial polymer binder. The resulting DSSCs exhibited a power conversion efficiency (7.8%) comparable to that of conventional Pt catalyst (7.9%), confirming the excellent catalytic activity of poly(triazine imide) g-CN as a non-precious metal electrocatalyst.