Dye-sensitized solar cells based on C/CoNi<sub>2</sub>S<sub>4</sub> counter electrode

Abstract

Dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) is a promising solution to global energy crisis and environmental problems owing to its easy fabrication, good durability and environmental friendliness. A DSSC consists of several components, the most prominent being an oxide semiconductor-based photoanode, a dye, an electrolyte and a counter electrode. Pt-loaded conducting glass has been widely exploited as the standard counter electrode for DSSCs. However, the high cost and the rarity of Pt limits the commercial applications of DSSCs. Therefore, developing high-efficient counter electrode materials to replace Pt has become research hotspot. Recently, carbon nanostructures have been demonstrated to be promising counter electrode materials for DSSCs due to its high electrochemical activity, low cost and high corrosion resistance. Transition metal sulfides have also found their application in DSSCs as counter electrodes. Particularly, ternary transition metal sulfide (CoNi2S4) has high electronic conductivity and redox ability due to the existence of cobalt and nickel ions. Therefore, it is expected that high conversion efficiency would be achieved by employing the carbon and CoNi2S4 nanostructured composites as counter electrodes.