Tuning the A-Site Cation Deficiency of La_0.8Sr_0.2FeO_3-δPerovskite Oxides for High-Efficiency Triiodide Reduction Reaction in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Due to the low material cost, simple preparation process, and no pollution to the environment, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have become one of the important power conversion devices. The counter electrode (CE, also called cathode), an important part of DSSCs, plays a critical role in the photovoltaic performance of DSSCs. Platinum (Pt) with high electrocatalytic activity is the most commonly used CE material in DSSCs, which suffers from the problems of high price and poor stability, highlighting the importance of developing novel low-cost, active, and stable Pt-free CEs. In this work, a series of A-site deficient (La0.8Sr0.2)1-xFeO3-δ (x = 0, 0.02, 0.05, 0.1) perovskite oxides are designed to serve as CEs in DSSCs. Through investigating the influence of the A-site deficiency on the power conversion efficiency (PCE), it is found that the introduction of an appropriate deficiency in perovskite oxides is beneficial for catalytic activity of triiodide (I3-) reduction reaction (IRR) of the CE, thus improving the photovoltaic performance of DSSCs. Consequently, the (La0.8Sr0.2)0.98FeO3-δ/multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) CE-based device exhibits the highest PCE of 8.22%, while the Pt-based device only yields a PCE of 7.21%. The significantly enhanced efficiency of DSSCs is mainly attributed to the synergistic effect between the high oxygen vacancy concentration and the appropriate amount of Fe4+ as well as reduced particle size, which enhances the charge transfer capability and the I3- diffusion capability simultaneously. Furthermore, the decent IRR durability of (La0.8Sr0.2)0.98FeO3-δ/MWCNTs composites confers the corresponding DSSCs an excellent long-term stability. This work provides a facile way to design active and durable Pt-free perovskite oxide-based CEs in DSSCs, which may lay the foundation for the commercialization of DSSC technology.