One step hydrothermal synthesis of vertical Ni-Mo-S nanosheet array as the counter electrode for FDSC

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds Vol. 764; pp. 890 - 894
• Main Authors: Yang, Yusi, Wei, Jindi, Zhang, Gengmin, Sun, Wentao, Zhou, Wensheng
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 05.10.2018; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Arrays; Dye-sensitized solar cells; Electrode counter; Electrodes; Electrolytic cells; Energy conversion efficiency; FDSSCs; Molybdenum disulfide; Nanosheets; Nickel; Photovoltaic cells; Synergetic effects; Transition metals; Wearable computers; Electrode counter; FDSSCs; Synergetic effects
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2018.06.117

In order to further improve electrocatalytic ability of MoS2 counter electrode(CE) in fiber-shaped dye sensitized solar cells(FDSSCs), Ni element was introduced and Ni-Mo-S nanosheet array was prepared by a simple one-step hydrothermal process. By utilizing synergetic effects between two transition metals and more catalytically active edges in Ni-Mo-S nanosheet array, lower series transfer resistance(Rct) at the interface of CE/electrolyte in the electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS) measurement and higher cathodic peak current in the cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurement were obtained when compared with MoS2, indicating Ni-Mo-S processed superior electrocatalytic activity to MoS2. As a result, power conversion efficiency of Ni-Mo-S based FDSSC(6.3%) was found to be higher than MoS2-based FDSSC (4.2%), comparable to Pt based FDSSC(6.4%). •Ni element was introduced into MoS2 CE and Ni-Mo-S nanosheet array was prepared by a simple one-step hydrothermal process.•Ni-Mo-S CE performed better electrocatalytic activity than that of MoS2 CE.•PCE of Ni-Mo-S based FDSSC(6.3%) was found to be higher than MoS2-based FDSSC (4.2%), comparable to Pt based FDSSC(6.4%).