Shrestha, A.Batmunkh, M.Shearer, C.Yin, Y.Andersson, G.Shapter, J.Qiao, S.Dai, S.2017-05-042017-05-042017Advanced Energy Materials, 2017; 7(8):1602276-1-1602276-81614-68321614-6840http://hdl.handle.net/2440/104885The use of polydopamine as a nitrogen containing precursor to generate catalytically active nitrogen-doped carbon (CNx) materials on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is reported. These N-doped CNx/CNT materials display excellent electrocatalytic activity toward the reduction of triiodide electrolyte in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Further, the influence of various synthesis parameters on the catalytic performance of CNx/CNTs is investigated in detail. The best performing device fabricated with the CNx/CNTs material delivers power conversion efficiency of 7.3%, which is comparable or slightly higher than that of Pt (7.1%) counter electrode-based DSSC. These CNx/CNTs materials show great potential to address the issues associated with the Pt electrocatalyst including the high cost and scarcity.en© 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, WeinheimJournal article003006076710.1002/aenm.2016022760003997217000192-s2.0-85006981093282550Shearer, C. [0000-0002-8192-3696]Qiao, S. [0000-0002-1220-1761] [0000-0002-4568-8422]