Microemulsion-controlled synthesis of CoSe2/CoSeO3 composite crystals for electrocatalysis in dye-sensitized solar cells
Journal
Materials Today Energy
Journal Volume
6
Pages
189-197
Date Issued
2017
Author(s)
Abstract
Cobalt diselenide/cobalt selenite (CoSe2/CoSeO3) composite crystals with nanocube (NC), nanorod (NR), and nanoparticle (NP) structures were obtained through a microemulsion-assisted hydrothermal synthesis by incorporating the anionic surfactant docusate sodium salt (AOT), the cationic surfactant cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), and the non-ionic surfactant Triton? X-100, respectively. The as-prepared CoSe2/CoSeO3 crystals were utilized as the electrocatalysts in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Among all the crystals, the one obtained through Triton? X-100 enables its DSSC to achieve the best power conversion efficiency (£b) of 9.27%, which is even better than that of the DSSC with platinum (Pt) (7.91%). The catalytic abilities of the counter electrodes were analyzed by cyclic voltammetry (CV), Tafel polarization plots, and electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS). The photovoltaic behaviors are substantiated by incident photon-to-electron conversion efficiency (IPCE) spectra. The DSSC with CoSe2/CoSeO3-NP exhibited an £b of 9.27% at 100 mW cm?2, a better £b of 9.31% at 50 mW cm?2, and the best £b of 9.41% at 10 mW cm?2, thereby extending the scope of application of this DSSC from outdoor to indoor regions. The earth abundant, low-cost material of CoSe2/CoSeO3-NP can be a promising electrocatalytic material to replace the expensive Pt in a DSSC. ? 2017 Elsevier Ltd
Subjects
Dim light photovoltaics
Dye-sensitized solar cells
Microemulsion
Pt-free counter electrode
Transition metal dichalcogenides
SDGs
Other Subjects
Anionic surfactants; Cationic surfactants; Cobalt compounds; Cobalt deposits; Conversion efficiency; Costs; Cyclic voltammetry; Dyes; Efficiency; Electrocatalysis; Electrocatalysts; Electrochemical electrodes; Hydrothermal synthesis; Microemulsions; Nanorods; Nanostructured materials; Platinum metals; Selenium compounds; Solar cells; Solar power generation; Transition metals; Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide; Controlled synthesis; Counter electrodes; Electrocatalytic materials; Electrochemical impedance spectra; Photovoltaics; Power conversion efficiencies; Transition metal dichalcogenides; Dye-sensitized solar cells
Type
journal article