Abstract
To satisfy the high requirement of catalytic activity for efficient dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), a novel nanoporous NiS film with inverse opal structure and outstanding electrocatalytic properties was prepared by a facile template-assisted electrodeposition method. The inverse opal structure makes the film have a larger specific surface area and more catalytic sites, thereby result to a higher electrocatalytic activity. Compared with the flat NiS/FTO electrode, this kind of nanoporous NiS film with inverse opal structure has higher catalytic activity and can be used as a cheap and efficient Pt-free electrode to replace the traditional Pt/FTO electrode. It is of great significance to reduce the cost and promote the wide application of DSSCs. This study opens up a new experimental exploration for further improving the catalytic activity of NiS electrode and the according photovoltaic efficiency of DSSCs. The template-assisted electrodeposition method proposed in this work provides a facile method for morphology control and an easy to be realized way to optimize the catalytic performance of the metal sulfides counter electrode.
Highlights
Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have shown promise as low-cost photovoltaics compared to commercially available Si solar cells [1,2,3]
The results show that the polystyrene microspheres (PS) template-assisted electrodeposition is a facile method compose the to compose the nanoporous film with excellent electrocatalytic activity
The SEM of the synthesized PS template film is shown in Figure 2a, the polystyrene microspheres are uniform in size, regular in shape, and smooth in surface
Summary
Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have shown promise as low-cost photovoltaics compared to commercially available Si solar cells [1,2,3]. CE plays the role of collecting electrons from external circuit and promoting the regeneration of redox couple [5] This essential function needs the CE possessing excellent electrocatalytic activity; the traditional platinized FTO (fluorine-doped tin oxide) electrode (Pt/FTO). Various materials, including carbon-based materials [7,8,9], transition metal compounds [10,11], conducting polymers [12], and their composites have been extensively studied as cost-effective substitutes for Pt [13] Among these materials, the NiS is attractive, due to its excellent electrocatalytic activity and outstanding electrochemical stability [14]. The results show that the PS template-assisted electrodeposition is a facile method compose the to compose the nanoporous film with excellent electrocatalytic activity.
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