Preparation and characterization of poly(o‐anisidine) with the influence of surfactants on stainless steel by electrochemical polymerization as a counter electrode for dye‐sensitized solar cells

Efficient fast electron transfer from counter electrode to an electrolyte is a key process during the operation of dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). We introduce a surfactants assisted electro‐polymerized poly(o‐anisidine) (POA) counter electrodes (CE) for DSSCs. Commencing the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, the POA/sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) CE exhibited very low series and charge‐transfer resistance. This is due to high electrocatalytic activity confirmed by cyclic voltammetry, surface area and the conductivity of the stainless steel film. The photovoltaic performance of POA/SDS counter electrode shows an energy conversion efficiency of 2.5% under 1 sun illumination. Short‐term stability test for POA/SDS point out that CE have almost uphold its initial performance. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42310.