Electronic regulation by constructing RGO/MoCQD/CF double interface to enhance performance in solar cells

• Published in: Applied surface science 2025-01, Vol.679, p.161247, Article 161247
• Main Authors: Yao, Jixin, Lu, Shibin, Meng, Ying, Zhou, Feng, Chen, Dongmeng, Tang, Huaibao, Xu, Haifeng, Wang, Wen, Du, Feng, Li, Guang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Counter electrodes; Dye-sensitized solar cells; Electrocatalysis; Quantum dots; RGO/MoCQD/CF
• ISSN: 0169-4332
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2024.161247

The framework also contains the advantage of the vast uniformly dispersed active sites, a fast ion–electron transportation channel, and reactive structures that facilitate electrolyte infiltration. The RGO tailor the electronic structures of Mo sites to improve reaction kinetics and I3- catalytic activity. [Display omitted] •MoCQD are well encapsulated in double double carbon structure (RGO and CF).•The carbon hierarchical structure facilitates the adequate contact of electrolyte.•Double double carbon structure (RGO and CF). is conducive to the full exposure of MoCQD.•Multi-interface collaboration well suppresses triiodide coupling and hastens reaction kinetics.•Solar cells based on RGO/MoCQD/CF achieve PCE of 9.08 % and excellent stability. The intrinsic defects such as the low electrical conductivity and sluggish kinetics for counter electrode seriously hinder its ability to meet the requirements of daily applications for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Herein, to propel the development of DSSCs toward ultra-high stability and fast dynamics, the counter electrode (CE) of RGO/MoCQD/CF nanoreactors are created by sandwiching stable MoC quantum dots (QDs) in two distinct carbon matrices {Reduced Graphene Oxide (RGO) and Carbon Flower (CF)}. The multi-structured nanoreactors both effectively enhance stability of catalysis by forming sandwich structure and offers homogeneous dispersion of MoCQD to avoid its agglomeration. Numerous electrons assemble at the RGO contact, which can disrupt the balanced charge state and and modify the electronic structures of Mo sites to expedite reaction kinetics and I3- catalytic activity, according to studies using density functional theory and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Additionally, the framework also contains the advantage of the vast uniformly dispersed active sites, a fast ion–electron transportation channel, and reactive structures that facilitate electrolyte infiltration. By virtue of integration of multiple advantages, DSSC with RGO/MoCQD/CF CE brings excellent performance, i.e., high PCE (9.08 %) and ultra-long cycling performance (96 h), offering great potential for make use of basically viable DSSC.