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Synthesis of various carbon incorporated flower-like MoS2 microspheres as counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells

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Abstract

A flower-like molybdenum disulfide microspheres and various carbon materials (acetylene black, vulcan carbon, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, and rice husk ash) incorporated MoS2 microsphere materials were synthesized via convenient single-step hydrothermal method. The obtained MoS2/C materials provide cost-effective and Pt free counter electrodes for DSSCs. Phthaloylchitosan-based polymer electrolyte was used as an electrolyte for DSSCs. The phase formation and purity of the synthesized materials were ascertained by powder X-ray diffractometer. The shape, morphology, and the distribution of the carbon materials in MoS2 microspheres were examined by electron microscope measurements. The electrochemical measurements were revealed that the carbon materials incorporated MoS2 electrode hold low charge transfer resistance at the counter electrode/electrolyte interface and demonstrate high electrocatalytic activity for the reduction of I3 − to I−ions. Among different carbon materials studied, MoS2 doped on CNF offered a positive synergistic effect for the electrocatalytic reduction of I3 −. The DSSC fabricated with MoS2/CNF CE and phthaloylchitosan-based polymer electrolyte shown a high power conversion efficiency of 3.17 %, whereas pure MoS2 CE showed only 1.04 %. The present study validates the application of carbon incorporated MoS2 as a potential CE in DSSCs.

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Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge the financial support from the Department of Atomic Energy-Board of Research in Nuclear Sciences (DAE-BRNS) (Grant No. 2013/37P/1/BRNS/10), Mumbai, India. This study was supported by the Deanship of Scientific Research, College of Science Research Centre, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia. Also, we acknowledge Mr. Shahan Shah, Centre for Ionics University of Malaya (CIUM), University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for his support in lab works.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Solar Energy Lab, Department of Chemistry, Thiruvalluvar University, Vellore, 632 115, India

    J. Theerthagiri, R.A. Senthil & J. Madhavan

  2. Electrochemistry Research Group, Chemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia

    Prabhakarn Arunachalam

  3. Department of Physics, University of Malaya, Centre for Ionics University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    M.H. Buraidah & A.K. Arof

  4. National Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Guindy campus, University of Madras, Chennai, 600025, India

    Amutha Santhanam

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  1. J. Theerthagiri
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  4. J. Madhavan
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  5. M.H. Buraidah
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  7. A.K. Arof
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Correspondence to J. Madhavan.

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Theerthagiri, J., Senthil, R., Arunachalam, P. et al. Synthesis of various carbon incorporated flower-like MoS2 microspheres as counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells. J Solid State Electrochem 21, 581–590 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10008-016-3407-0

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