Interface architecture of low-cost and stable three-dimensional composite counter electrodes for QDSCs

In this work, a series of low-cost, stable, and highly efficient composite counter electrodes (CEs) in three-dimensional (3D) structure have been designed with multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as the framework for carrier transport and nanographite or CuS nanoparticles loaded on carbon tubes as...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Inorganic chemistry frontiers 2022-12, Vol.9 (24), p.6567-6573
Main Authors: Zhang, Jingyu, Chen, Xiufen, Dong, Limin, Zheng, Wei
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Carrier transport
Copper sulfides
Dimensional stability
Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
Electrodes
Inorganic chemistry
Interface stability
Low cost
Mass production
Multi wall carbon nanotubes
Nanoparticles
Photovoltaic cells
Solar cells
Three dimensional composites
Tubes
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Summary:In this work, a series of low-cost, stable, and highly efficient composite counter electrodes (CEs) in three-dimensional (3D) structure have been designed with multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as the framework for carrier transport and nanographite or CuS nanoparticles loaded on carbon tubes as catalytic active sites. CuS nanoparticles are synthesized by loading on acid-treated MWCNTs in various routes to optimize the 3D CE interface and microstructure. The photovoltaic properties, including stability, are investigated and compared within Pt, MWCNT, nanographite/MWCNT, and CuS/MWCNT CEs based on the characterization (SEM, TEM, XRD, EELS, and IR spectrum), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), Tafel curve, incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE), and optical current density–voltage curve under one sun. The result shows that one-step synthesized CuS/acid-treated MWCNT CE overcomes all other electrodes on both the photovoltaic property and stability in QDSCs at identical conditions and is a potential candidate for commercial CEs of solar cells for mass production.
ISSN:2052-1545
2052-1553
DOI:10.1039/d2qi01486f