Solar cell with transparent electrode

A solar cell comprising:

• a transparent electrode;
• a planar cathode made from one or more of gold, platinum, silver, copper, aluminum, zinc, nickel, iron, tin, lead, and alloys thereof;
• and
• an electrolyte arranged between the transparent electrode and the planar cathode, wherein the transparent electrode is in electric communication with the planar cathode through the electrolyte,
• wherein the planar cathode is disposed parallel and across from the transparent electrode;
• wherein the transparent electrode comprises:
• a transparent substrate, and
• a composite layer disposed on the transparent substrate,
• wherein the composite layer comprises:
• a graphene layer and a plurality of nanoparticles, wherein the nanoparticles are embedded in the graphene layer and extend through a thickness of the graphene layer,
• wherein a ratio of the thickness of the graphene layer to an average diameter of the plurality of nanoparticles is 1:1.5 to 1:10,
• wherein at least a portion of the plurality of nanoparticles are in direct contact with the transparent substrate and a gap is present between the graphene layer and the transparent substrate,
• wherein the transparent substrate consists of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of quartz, glass, polymethylmethacrylate, polydimethylsiloxane, polymethacrylate, and polycarbonate.