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This study presents the development of a biomass-derived counter electrode (CE) for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), synthesized from oil palm petiole residues via a modified Hummer's technique to produce reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-like carbon. A ternary rGO/NiO/PEDOT:PSS CE was developed by integrating the high conductivity of rGO, the catalytic activity of nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles, and the film-forming capability of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses confirmed a porous layered morphology with uniformly dispersed NiO, while X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy verified the coexistence of crystalline NiO and disordered graphitic domains. Electrochemical measurements revealed enhanced redox kinetics of the rGO/NiO/PEDOT:PSS CE, characterized by a low charge-transfer resistance, high reduction current density ( J pc = 0.501 mA·cm⁻ 2 ), and increased exchange current density, indicating efficient electron transfer at the CE/electrolyte interface. Consequently, the DSSC employing this composite achieved a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 5.24%, slightly exceeding that of the Pt-based reference (5.18%). Compared with previously reported biomass-derived carbon or binary oxide–carbon electrodes, this ternary metal–polymer–carbon design offers a synergistic combination of electrical conductivity, and catalytic activity. The study highlights a novel and sustainable approach for converting agricultural waste into high-performance CE materials, providing an environmentally friendly and cost-effective pathway for advancing next-generation DSSCs.
Kanjana et al. (Sun,) studied this question.