Effect of polyaniline/FeS2 composite and usages of alternates counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) associated to the class of thin-film solar cells which have been under recent research work for more than two decades due to their low cost, simple preparation technology, low energy consumption, roll-to-roll manufacturing, eco-friendly, durable and light weight. Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were fabricated using TiO2 as the photo anode and the composite of PANI and FeS2 as a counter electrode. The effect of the contents on the DSSC performance was investigated by adjusting the ratios of PANI and FeS2. It was found that the optimized DSSC efficiency of 0.9 % to 2.02% was achieved. The structure, surface morphology, elemental composition and functional groups of the PANI and FeS2 composites were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM and FTIR analysis. This article provides an in-depth discussion on fabrication of DSSC based on polyaniline/FeS2 composite as counter electrode, operating conditions, prospective efficient materials and FTIR characteristics. From the obtained results, the composites of PANI and FeS2 counter electrode is served as an efficient, low-cost counter electrode (CE) material for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs).