Abstract
In this paper, the durability of PVP-capped Pt nanoclusters counter electrode (PVP-Pt CE) for dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) has been extensively evaluated including electrochemical reaction durability, thermal stress durability and light soaking durability. It is revealed that PVP-Pt CE exhibits both electrochemical and thermal durability by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) test. Moreover, DSSC containing PVP-Pt CE shows over 9.37% conversion efficiency in highly volatile electrolyte system. As to device thermal durability, both low-volatile and non-volatile electrolyte systems were tested and the results show relative efficiency can maintain more than 85% after accelerated thermal test at 85°C for 1000 h, and 110% after 60°C for 1000 h. Finally, after continuous light soaking test under 60°C for 1000 h, the relative efficiency can still maintain at 94%. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.