CuCo2O4@NiFe2O4 core-shell structure array based on carbon paper is used as high-performance counter electrode of liquid thin film solar cells

Abstract

In this paper, NiFe2O4 nanoparticles coated with CuCo2O4 linear core-shell structure crystals were grown in situ using carbon paper (CP) as support material by two-step hydrothermal method. The composite materials of CuCo2O4@NiFe2O4/CP are coated on a titanium mesh base to make the counter electrodes (CEs) of the dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The photovoltaic conversion efficiency (PCE) of the CuCo2O4@NiFe2O4/CP CEs is 10.00%, which is much higher than the representative Pt CEs (7.74%). Its excellent electrochemical performance can be put down to the core-shell structure with high porosity and specific surface area, which can provide abundant active sites for redox reactions in the electrolyte, and a large number of transition metal elements greatly enhance the catalytic ability of the electrode. In addition, the resistance between the electrode material and the substrate is greatly reduced by using titanium mesh as the substrate. This study provides a new idea and possibility for the development of high efficiency and platinum-free CEs materials and a new conductive substrate is developed to improve the photoelectric performance of the CEs.