One-pot hydrothermal in situ growth of In4SnS8@MoS2@CNTs as efficient Pt-free counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract

Developing a synthesis method for large-scale preparation of efficient and economical non noble metal counter electrode (CE) electrocatalytic materials with good catalytic ability and stability is an ideal choice for the commercialization of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). In this paper, a novel micro-nanostructured composite of CE was prepared by fixing the In4SnS8 and MoS2 on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and using a one-step hydrothermal strategy. The devices based on the In4SnS8@MoS2@CNTs composite CE performs high power conversion efficiency of 8.72%, far more than that of the device with the control ones (7.57%). The In4SnS8@MoS2 composite were homogeneously distributed on the CNTs surface to form a new In4SnS8@MoS2@CNTs composite network heterojunction. This distinctive porous structure can provide greater contact area and electronic transmission channel to ensure fast charge transport of electrolyte. The prefect electrochemical properties of the In4SnS8@MoS2@CNTs CE for the I−/I3− electrolyte also have been demonstrated by a series of electrochemical tests. As a result, it can be considered that the In4SnS8@MoS2@CNTs will replace the Pt CE and has broad application prospects in DSSCs.