Design of hierarchical MoSe2-NiSe2 nanotubes anchored on carbon nanotubes as a counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells

• Published in: Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers 2022-06, Vol.135, p.104378, Article 104378
• Main Authors: Mirzaei, Mahin, Gholivand, Mohammad Bagher
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbon nanotubes; Counter electrode; DSSCs; MoSe2-NiSe2 nanotubes
• ISSN: 1876-1070; 1876-1089
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jtice.2022.104378

•Hollow MoSe2-NiSe2 nanotubes anchored on carbon nanotubes (MS-NS NTs@CNTs) are synthesized via in-situ hydrothermal method combined with an ultrasonication process.•The resultant MS-NS NTs@CNTs as a CE shows long term stability and excellent electrocatalytic activity.•Synergistic effects between conductive CNTs with bimetal selenide components enhance electrocatalytic activities and conductivity.•The DSSC fabricated with MS-NS NTs@CNTs CE exhibits a higher power conversion efficiency of 9.57% than Pt based device (PCE: 9.02%). The high cost, shortage, and instability of platinum (Pt) markedly hamper its commercialization in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Consequently, developing efficient, stable, and economic electrode materials in lieu of noble Pt is of great current priority for DSSCs. In this work, a facile hydrothermal method followed by an ultrasonication process was utilized to synthesize the hollow MoSe2NiSe2 nanotubes anchored on carbon nanotubes (denotes as MS-NS NTs@CNTs) and was developed as an efficient counter electrode (CE) in DSSCs. The resultant of MS-NS NTs@CNTs was characterized using XRD, FESEM, EDX, TEM, and N2 adsorption-desorption. The combination of MS-NS NTs and CNTs provides more active sites, remarkable electric conductivity for rapid charge transfer, and an admirable catalytic property toward the reduction of triiodide. The DSSC with MS-NS NTs@CNTs achieves a high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 9.57% and exceptional electrochemical durability with a remnant PCE of 8.69% after 72 h of illumination, better than Pt-based cell (PCE: 9.02%). These outcomes open a new avenue to fabricate low-cost electrocatalysts for their potential application in next-generation energy storage and conversion devices such as DSSCs, water splitting, fuel cells, and other electrochemical applications. [Display omitted]