CoS acicular nanorod arrays for the counter electrode of an efficient dye-sensitized solar cell
Journal
ACS Nano
Journal Volume
6
Journal Issue
8
Pages
7016-7025
Date Issued
2012
Author(s)
Abstract
One-dimensional cobalt sulfide (CoS) acicular nanorod arrays (ANRAs) were obtained on a fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate by a two-step approach. First, Co 3O 4 ANRAs were synthesized, and then they were converted to CoS ANRAs for various periods. The compositions of the films obtained after various conversion periods were verified by X-ray diffraction, UV-visible spectrophotometry, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy; their morphologies were examined at different periods by scanning electron microscopic and transmission electron microscopic images. Electrocatalytic abilities of the films toward I -/I 3 - were verified through cyclic voltammetry (CV) and Tafel polarization curves. Long-term stability of the films in I -/I 3 - electrolyte was studied by CV. The FTO substrates with CoS ANRAs were used as the counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells; a maximum power conversion efficiency of 7.67% was achieved for a cell with CoS ANRAs, under 100 mW/cm 2, which is nearly the same as that of a cell with a sputtered Pt counter electrode (7.70%). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was used to substantiate the photovoltaic parameters. © 2012 American Chemical Society.
Subjects
acicular nanorods; cobalt oxide; cobalt sulfide; counter electrode; dye-sensitized solar cell
SDGs
Other Subjects
Cobalt oxides; Counter electrodes; Dye-Sensitized solar cell; Electrocatalytic ability; Fluorine doped tin oxide; Long term stability; Maximum power; Microscopic image; Nanorod arrays; Photovoltaic parameters; Scanning electron microscopic; Tafel polarization; Transmission electron; Two-step approach; UV-visible spectrophotometry; Cobalt; Conversion efficiency; Cyclic voltammetry; Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy; Nanocomposites; Nanorods; Photoelectrochemical cells; Photoelectrons; Platinum; Substrates; Tin; Tin oxides; Transition metal compounds; X ray diffraction; X ray photoelectron spectroscopy; Solar cells; cobalt; coloring agent; nanomaterial; silicon; article; chemistry; equipment design; equipment failure analysis; materials testing; microelectrode; particle size; power supply; radiation exposure; solar energy; ultrastructure; Cobalt; Coloring Agents; Electric Power Supplies; Equipment Design; Equipment Failure Analysis; Materials Testing; Microelectrodes; Nanostructures; Particle Size; Silicon; Solar Energy
Type
journal article