Nickel-nitride-coated nickel foam as a counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells

This study employs for the first time surface-nitrided Ni foam as a counter-electrode free of Pt and transparent conducting oxides (TCOs) to realize a cost-effective counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). This electrode simultaneously features high catalytic activity for triiodide...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Surface & coatings technology 2014-11, Vol.259, p.560-569
Main Authors: Park, Sun Ha, Cho, Yong-Hun, Choi, Myounggeun, Choi, Hyelim, Kang, Jin Soo, Um, Ji Hyun, Choi, Jung-Woo, Choe, Heeman, Sung, Yung-Eun
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Catalytic activity
Coating
Counter electrode
Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science
rheology
DSSC
Electrodes
Exact sciences and technology
Foam
Foams
Materials science
Metals. Metallurgy
Nickel
Nitride
Photovoltaic cells
Physics
Platinum
Production techniques
Solar cells
Surface chemistry
Surface treatment
Surface treatments
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Summary:This study employs for the first time surface-nitrided Ni foam as a counter-electrode free of Pt and transparent conducting oxides (TCOs) to realize a cost-effective counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). This electrode simultaneously features high catalytic activity for triiodide reduction and high conductivity in a single layer. The nitrided Ni foam is synthesized by nitridation treatment of open-cell Ni foam in an ammonia atmosphere. This electrode presents high catalytic activity on the nitrided surface and easy electron transport ability in the three-dimensional, interconnected metallic structure. This study provides a preliminary design concept for utilizing the nitrided Ni foam as a promising cost-effective counter electrode that does not require expensive Pt and TCO. •Nitrided Ni foam electrode prepared via electroless plating and nitriding processes•The Ni foam counter-electrode consists of three-dimensionally connected struts.•Efficiency further improved by etching the nitrided Ni foam.•Promising for efficient and cost-effective dye-sensitized solar cells
ISSN:0257-8972
1879-3347
DOI:10.1016/j.surfcoat.2014.10.030