Exploring the potential of SnSe/PANi composite counter electrodes for improved efficiency in dye-sensitized solar cells

• Published in: Optical materials 2024-11, Vol.157, p.116291, Article 116291
• Main Authors: Kumar, Abhinav, Pallathadka, Harikumar, Kareem, A.K., Menon, Soumya V., Atif, M., Kaur, Mandeep, Ghazaly, Nouby M., Sivaprasad, G.V., Hadrawi, Merwaa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Counter electrode; DSSC; Nanocomposite; PANi; SnSe
• ISSN: 0925-3467
• DOI: 10.1016/j.optmat.2024.116291

This paper investigates the synthesis and characterization of novel counter electrodes (CEs) for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), focusing on composite polyaniline (PANi) nanofibers integrated with tin selenide (SnSe). Three CEs, namely SnSe, PANi, and their composite, were prepared via facile hydrothermal and cyclic voltammetry methods and compared with a standard platinum (Pt) CE. The efficiencies obtained were 4.20 %, 5.63 %, 8.39 %, and 7.72 % for SnSe, PANi, SnSe/PANi, and Pt CEs, respectively. The improved efficiencies, particularly in the case of the SnSe/PANi composite, were attributed to increased short-circuit density of the composite sample. The materials and devices prepared in this study are characterized using various methods including FESEM, TEM, XRD, Raman and FTIR spectroscopies, EIS, Tafel, OCVD, IPCE and etc to support our proposed CE structure. Our findings demonstrate the promising potential of SnSe/PANi composite CEs in enhancing the performance and affordability of DSSCs. •Synthesis of SnSe/PANi nanocomposite structure as counter electrode in DSSCs.•Increasing the electrocatalytic activity of the counter electrodes by combining PANi and SnSe.•Improving DSSC performance based on SnSe/PANi counter electrode up to 8.4 %.