Issue 45, 2019

Hierarchical urchin-like CoSe2/CoSeO3 electro-catalysts for dye-sensitized solar cells: up to 19% PCE under dim light illumination

Abstract

A hierarchical urchin-like structure of CoSe2/CoSeO3 (denoted as CoSe2/CoSeO3-UL) is synthesized by a one-step hydrothermal method and investigated as the electro-catalyst for the counter electrode (CE) of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The evolution of the CoSe2/CoSeO3 nanostructures as a function of the synthesis time has been identified by scanning electron microscopy. The growth mechanism is proposed and the desired CoSe2/CoSeO3 hierarchical UL structure is noticed at 4 h. CoSe2/CoSeO3-UL consists of nanoparticles and hexagonal prisms for providing a high surface area for catalytic reactions and a one dimensional charge transport route, respectively. The results show that DSSCs using the CoSe2/CoSeO3-UL CE exhibit a higher power conversion efficiency (η) of 9.29 ± 0.24% than that of the cell using a Pt CE (8.33 ± 0.07%). Under various dim light conditions (i.e., a T5 lamp), the DSSC with the CoSe2/CoSeO3-UL CE shows outstanding η's of 19.88 ± 0.10%, 18.24 ± 0.06%, and 16.00 ± 0.13% at 7000 lux (2.21 mW cm−2), 6000 lux (1.89 mW cm−2) and 4800 lux (1.55 mW cm−2), respectively. This study demonstrates that CoSe2/CoSeO3-UL has great potential to replace Pt in DSSCs, and the application of DSSCs can be extended from outdoor to indoor conditions.

Graphical abstract: Hierarchical urchin-like CoSe2/CoSeO3 electro-catalysts for dye-sensitized solar cells: up to 19% PCE under dim light illumination

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
20 Mha 2019
Accepted
21 Nhl 2019
First published
21 Nhl 2019

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2019,7, 26089-26097

Hierarchical urchin-like CoSe2/CoSeO3 electro-catalysts for dye-sensitized solar cells: up to 19% PCE under dim light illumination

Y. Huang, H. Chen, S. Ann, C. Li, J. T. Lin, C. Lee and K. Ho, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2019, 7, 26089 DOI: 10.1039/C9TA09166A

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