Abstract
Developing an efficient material as a counter electrode (CE) with excellent catalytic activity, intrinsic stability, and low cost is essential for the commercial application of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Transition metal phosphides have been demonstrated as outstanding multifunctional catalysts in a broad range of energy conversion technologies. Here, we exploited different phases of iron phosphide as CEs in DSSCs with an I–/I3–-based electrolyte. Solvothermal synthesis using a triphenylphosphine precursor as a phosphorus source allows to grow a Fe2P phase at 300 °C and a FeP phase at 350 °C. The obtained iron phosphide catalysts were coated on fluorine-doped tin oxide substrates and heat-treated at 450 °C under an inert gas atmosphere. The solar-to-current conversion efficiency of the solar cells assembled with the Fe2P material reached 3.96 ± 0.06%, which is comparable to the device assembled with a platinum (Pt) CE. DFT calculations support the experimental observations and explain the fundamental origin behind the improved performance of Fe2P compared to FeP. These results indicate that the Fe2P catalyst exhibits excellent performance along with desired stability to be deployed as an efficient Pt-free alternative in DSSCs.
Highlights
Photovoltaics (PV) is one of the most promising renewable technologies to meet the increasing global energy demands.[1]
Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) with solar-to-electricity conversion efficiency (η ≈ 14.2%) are considered a favorable alternative to conventional silicon-based solar cells because of the simple assembly technique, stability, mechanical robustness, and the ability to operate at wider angles.[2−4] The outstanding DSSC performance in indoor-light conditions compared to other solar cells makes it a likely candidate for smart PV windows and as a power source for indoor electronic devices
A variety of alternative materials has been studied as counter electrode (CE) materials for DSSCs, such as carbon-based materials,[5−11] transition metals,[12] metal chalcogenides,[13−15] metal nitrides,[16] metal carbides,[17] polymers,[18] and few compounds made of transition metal phosphides (TMPs).[19−22] Among these materials, TMPs are attractive because they offer good electrical conductivity, catalytic activity, and long-term stability.[23]
Summary
Photovoltaics (PV) is one of the most promising renewable technologies to meet the increasing global energy demands.[1]. A variety of alternative materials has been studied as CE materials for DSSCs, such as carbon-based materials,[5−11] transition metals,[12] metal chalcogenides,[13−15] metal nitrides,[16] metal carbides,[17] polymers,[18] and few compounds made of transition metal phosphides (TMPs).[19−22] Among these materials, TMPs are attractive because they offer good electrical conductivity, catalytic activity, and long-term stability.[23] TMPs with a general formula MxPy represent an important class of binary metal/ nonmetal catalytic materials with compositions usually being rich in metal or phosphorus. To alleviate possible errors in the periodic boundary conditions,[35] dipole corrections perpendicularly to the surface were applied
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