Chemical Functionalization of Graphene Oxide for Solar Cell Applications

Abstract

Among the many technologies developed to harness energy from sunlight, one is termed as the Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs). Graphene, a remarkable 2-D nanomaterial, has been shown to have electrochemical properties. This material, along with its functionalized derivatives, have been employed in various electrochemical reactions, one of which is the triiodide reduction step in a DSSC. In this study, graphene oxide (GO) was functionalized with a small organic molecule 4-hydroxy-4’-n-pentylbiphenyl (HPBP), which could be coupled to GO via its hydroxyl functionality in an esterification reaction. The functionalized compound was tested to confirm the ester bond formation during the reaction, and was further characterized for structural and morphological changes, optical properties, and electrochemical activity. The data obtained showed that after functionalization, the electrochemical performance of the esterified compound, however less than the standard Platinum catalyst, had surpassed that of GO and bare ITO glass. Hence, the material has the potential to be improved upon for application as a cheap catalyst at the counter electrode of a DSSC, replacing Platinum.