Development of Sustainable Hemp-Derived Activated Carbon Electrodes for Flexible Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Platinum (Pt) is generally used as the counter electrode material in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). However, due to its low chemical stability, limited natural reserves, and high cost, platinum negatively impacts the environmental durability of DSSCs and increases production costs, limiting the widespread use of this technology. To overcome these problems, research into low-cost, environmentally friendly, and stable alternatives to platinum is currently underway. In recent years, research on the use of activated carbon-based electrodes prepared from natural raw materials, particularly waste biomass, has increased. In this study, using a similar approach, hemp was selected as the biomass source and activated carbon was produced from hemp fibers using a chemical activation method. Microstructure of active carbon was examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), morphology by field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), structural analysis by FTIR spectroscopy and surface area by BET device. Coating mixtures with different compositions were prepared from the obtained carbon and its usability as a back electrode was investigated. For the flexible DSSC, the characteristic Jsc, Voc, FF and power conversion efficiency (ɲ) values were determined as 11.44 mA/cm2, 662 mV, 0.40 and 3.01%, respectively.