Abstract
A ternary and composite MoIn2S4@CNTs counter electrode (CE) with a hedgehog ball structure was synthesized by using a facile one-step hydrothermal method. The composite MoIn2S4@CNTs film possesses large specific surface area through N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms test, which is advantageous to adsorb more electrolyte and provide larger active contact area for the electrode. In addition, the composite MoIn2S4@CNTs CE exhibits low charge transfer resistance and fine electrocatalytic ability made from a series of electrochemical tests including cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance, and Tafel curves. Under optimal conditions, the DSSC based on the MoIn2S4@CNTs-2 composite CE achieves an impressive power conversion efficiency as high as 8.38%, which remarkably exceeds that of the DSSCs with the MoIn2S4 CE (7.44%) and the Pt electrode (8.01%). The current work provides a simplified preparation process for the DSSCs.
Highlights
In recent decades, it is urgent to exploit and utilize renewable energy substituting the conventional fossil fuels with the severe energy shortage and environmental degradation increasing [1, 2]
The spectrum of survey data in MoIn2S4 and MoIn2S4@carbon nanotubes (CNTs)-2 samples is demonstrated in Fig. 1a to verify the presence of Mo, In, S, and C elements
This result confirms that Mo element is in its IV oxidation state, which is reduced to Mo4+ (MoIn2S4) from Mo6+ (Na2MoO4) [33]
Summary
It is urgent to exploit and utilize renewable energy substituting the conventional fossil fuels with the severe energy shortage and environmental degradation increasing [1, 2]. Dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) has attracted wide-spread research by virtue of its environmental friendliness, facile preparation process, brilliant photovoltaic performance, and so on [3, 4]. Ideal CE materials contain the merits of high electrical conductivity and remarkable catalytic activity. The synthesized MoS2 on FTO substrate exhibits a sandwich-layered structure, larger surface area, and more active edge sites leading to extremely photoelectric performance as a CE for DSSC [17]. Extensive research work focused on the catalytic activity for I3− reduction has been made for WS2 [18], FeS2 [19], CoS [20], and NiS2 [21], which were comparable to or even better than that of the Pt electrode. The inherent characteristic of these materials, such as low electrical conductivity and only
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