Robust carbon dots-wrapped NiCo flower-like nanostructures for enhanced triiodide reduction

• Published in: Journal of electroanalytical chemistry (Lausanne, Switzerland) Vol. 967; p. 118441
• Main Authors: Nam Anh, Tran, Hai Linh, Dang Thi, Hai Linh, Nguyen, Thi Hien, Nguyen, Thi Hanh, Nguyen, Hung Vu, Ngoc, Hong Ha, Vu Thi, Ha Giang, Tran Thi, Van Tan, Tran, Dao, Van-Duong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15.08.2024
• Subjects: Cdots; Counter electrode; Dye-sensitized solar cells; Nanohybrid; NiCo flower; NiCo flower; Nanohybrid; Cdots; Dye-sensitized solar cells; Counter electrode
• ISSN: 1572-6657; 1873-2569
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jelechem.2024.118441

•Carbon dots-wrapped NiCo flower-like nanostructures were synthesized.•The developed materials provided excellent stability during long-term performance.•DSC with Cdot/NiCo provided 8.27 % efficiency. Replacing traditional counter electrodes (CEs) with Pt-free electrodes is one of the challenges for developing dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). Herein, we successfully synthesized carbon dots-wrapped NiCo flower-like nanostructure (NiCo/Cdots) and evaluated its application as CEs for DSCs. To characterize as-prepared materials, we conducted FESEM and TEM-EDS. Cyclic Voltammetry (CV), electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), Bode, and Tafel plots were then used to investigate the electrocatalytic properties of NiCo/Cdots CE. As a result, the as-prepared sample exhibited high electrocatalytic activity, low charger-transfer resistance, and large exchange current density. DSC based on NiCo/Cdots CE was assembled and showed a slightly lower PCE than Pt CE-based DSCs (8.27 and 8.52 %, respectively). However, it provided excellent stability during a long-term performance. These results indicated that CoNi/Cdots is a low-cost, easy-to-fabricate material with high potential as a CE of DSCs.