Si3N4/MoS2-PEDOT: PSS composite counter electrode for bifacial dye-sensitized solar cells

• Published in: Solar energy Vol. 173; pp. 1135 - 1143
• Main Authors: Ahmed, Abdelaal S.A., Xiang, Wanchun, Hu, Xiaowei, Qi, Chen, Amiinu, Ibrahim Saana, Zhao, Xiujian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2018
• Subjects: Bifacial dye-sensitized solar cells; Counter electrode; PEDOT: PSS; Si3N4/MoS2; Bifacial dye-sensitized solar cells; Counter electrode; Si3N4/MoS2; PEDOT: PSS
• ISSN: 0038-092X; 1471-1257
• DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2018.08.062

[Display omitted] •Si3N4/MoS2 novel composite was synthetized by one step hydrothermal method.•The morphological and crystallographic structure of obtained Si3N4/MoS2 composite was studied.•Si3N4/MoS2/PEDOT: PSS composite were applied as Pt-free CEs in bifacial DSSCs applications.•The front PCE of 5% Si3N4/MoS2/PEDOT: PSS based cell was 7.16% and 2.03% from rear irradiation. Si3N4/MoS2 nanocomposite has been fabricated through a solvothermal process and Mixed with polystyrenesulfonate-doped poly (3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene) to prepare (Si3N4/MoS2-PEDOT: PSS) as a counter electrode (CE) for bifacial dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The electrochemical studies confirm that Si3N4/MoS2-PEDOT: PSS CEs exhibits higher catalytic activity compared with pristine Si3N4/MoS2 and PEDOT: PSS. The DSSCs with 5% Si3N4/MoS2-PEDOT: PSS composite CE achieves conversion efficiency (PCE) of 7.16%, which is comparable to that of the conventional platinum CE (7.50%) and better than those of the pristine Si3N4/MoS2 (3.80%) or PEDOT: PSS (4.20%) CEs. Owing to the optical transparency of Si3N4/MoS2-PEDOT: PSS composite CEs, bifacial DSSCs based on 5% Si3N4/MoS2-PEDOT: PSS CE yield 2.03% PCE from rear irradiation. The simple preparation method, high catalytic activity and electrochemical stability demonstrate that Si3N4/MoS2-PEDOT: PSS can be used a transparent CE in bifacial DSSCs.