Large-scale synthesis of few-layer graphene from magnesium and different carbon sources and its application in dye-sensitized solar cells

A self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) method to synthesize few-layer graphene (FLG) from magnesium and different carbon sources is demonstrated. These carbon sources include CaCO₃, 3MgCO₃·Mg(OH)₂·3H₂O, glucose, and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). FLG produced by SHS method has a 3D porous structure with a special nanocrystallinity, and a low amount of defects. This fast, energy saving and low cost method is competitive as a candidate for industrial production of graphene for a wide range of applications. It is found that CaCO₃ are superior to others among these starting materials according to DSC properties. The dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC) with a FLG (produced from CaCO3) counter electrode (CE) achieves a power conversion efficiency higher than that obtained with a reference DSC using a Pt counter electrode. The charge transfer resistance of FLG DSC is 0.13Ωcm², which is more than thirty times lower than that of the DSC having a Pt counter electrode. SHS FLG has been demonstrated to be a promising alternative counter electrode in DSC.