Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effective iron-molybdenum-disulfide counter electrodes for use in platinum-free dye-sensitized solar cells

高效铁钼硫对电极在无铂染料敏化太阳能电池中的应用

  • Articles
  • Published:
Science China Materials Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Nanocomposites of iron disulfide (FeS2) and molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) with nanosheets structure were successfully grown on the flexible titanium foils through a facile one-step hydrothermal process, and then worked as counter electrodes (CEs) in the dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectrometer were employed to characterize the microstructure and composition of the FeS2/MoS2. Cyclic voltammogram reveals that the catalytic activity of FeS2/MoS2 CE is higher than that of FeS2, MoS2, and platinum (Pt) CEs towards triiodide/iodide (I3–/I–) redox electrolyte, owing to the superior carrier transfer properties of vertical array structure and abundant catalytic active sites of FeS2/MoS2 nanosheets. Moreover, the FeS2/MoS2 CE maintains its activity after 500 cycles, exhibiting excellent electrochemical stability. Furthermore, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of FeS2/MoS2 CE reaches 8.67%, which is higher than that of the FeS2 (7.20%), MoS2 (7.38%) and Pt (8.16%) CEs.

摘要

本文通过一步水热法成功地在钛片上生长FeS2和纳米片结构MoS2复合材料, 并且将其应用在染料敏化太阳能电池的对电极上. X-射线衍射, 扫描电子显微镜, 透射电子显微镜和能谱仪被用来表征FeS2/MoS2的微观结构和组成. 循环伏安测试结果表明FeS2/MoS2对电极对I3–/I–电解液的催化活性比FeS2, MoS2, Pt对电极高, 这可以归因于FeS2/MoS2对电极的垂直序列结构具有较好的电子传输性能和丰富的催化活性位点. 并且, FeS2/MoS2对电极在测试500个周期后能保持一定的活性, 表明其具有较好的稳定性. 此外, FeS2/MoS2对电极的光电转换效率达8.67%, 优于FeS2 (7.20%), MoS2 (7.38%)和Pt (8.16%)对电极.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. O’Regan B, Grätzel M. A low-cost, high-efficiency solar cell based on dye-sensitized colloidal TiO2 films. Nature, 1991, 353: 737–740

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Shao L, Qian X, Li H, et al. Shape-controllable syntheses of ternary Ni-Co-Se alloy hollow microspheres as highly efficient catalytic materials for dye-sensitized solar cells. Chem Eng J, 2017, 315: 562–572

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Nattestad A, Mozer AJ, Fischer MKR, et al. Highly efficient photocathodes for dye-sensitized tandem solar cells. Nat Mater, 2010, 9: 31–35

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Xiao Y, Han G, Li Y, et al. Three-dimensional hollow platinum–nickel bimetallic nanoframes for use in dye-sensitized solar cells. J Power Sources, 2015, 278: 149–155

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Tang Q, Zhang H, Meng Y, et al. Dissolution engineering of platinum alloy counter electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells. Angew Chem Int Ed, 2015, 54: 11448–11452

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Tang Q, Duan Y, He B, et al. Platinum alloy tailored all-weather solar cells for energy harvesting from sun and rain. Angew Chem Int Ed, 2016, 55: 14412–14416

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Wang G, Fang Y, Lin Y, et al. Nitrogen-doped graphene as transparent counter electrode for efficient dye-sensitized solar cells. Mater Res Bull, 2012, 47: 4252–4256

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Li Z, Yang W, Xu X, et al. Interconnected nitrogen and sulfur dualdoped porous carbon as efficient electrocatalyst for triiodide reduction in dye-sensitized solar cells. J Power Sources, 2016, 327: 289–296

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Wu J, Li Q, Fan L, et al. High-performance polypyrrole nanoparticles counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells. J Power Sources, 2008, 181: 172–176

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Xiao Y, Lin JY, Tai SY, et al. Pulse electropolymerization of high performance PEDOT/MWCNT counter electrodes for Pt-free dyesensitized solar cells. J Mater Chem, 2012, 22: 19919–19925

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Xiao Y, Han G, Li Y, et al. High performance of Pt-free dyesensitized solar cells based on two-step electropolymerized polyaniline counter electrodes. J Mater Chem A, 2014, 2: 3452–3460

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Dong F, Guo Y, Xu P, et al. Hydrothermal growth of MoS2/Co3S4 composites as efficient Pt-free counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells. Sci China Mater, 2017, 60: 295–303

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Wu M, Lin X, Hagfeldt A, et al. Low-cost molybdenum carbide and tungsten carbide counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells. Angew Chem Int Ed, 2011, 50: 3520–3524

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Yu C, Liu Z, Chen Y, et al. CoS nanosheets-coupled graphene quantum dots architectures as a binder-free counter electrode for high-performance DSSCs. Sci China Mater, 2016, 59: 104–111

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Bai H, Shen T, Wang S, et al. Controlled growth of Cu3Se2 nanosheets array counter electrode for quantum dots sensitized solar cell through ion exchange. Sci China Mater, 2017, 60: 637–645

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Song C, Wang S, Dong W, et al. Hydrothermal synthesis of iron pyrite (FeS2) as efficient counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells. Sol Energy, 2016, 133: 429–436

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Li P, Tang Q. Highly transparent metal selenide counter electrodes for bifacial dye-sensitized solar cells. J Power Sources, 2016, 317: 43–48

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Xiao Y, Lin JY, Wu J, et al. Dye-sensitized solar cells with highperformance polyaniline/multi-wall carbon nanotube counter electrodes electropolymerized by a pulse potentiostatic technique. J Power Sources, 2013, 233: 320–325

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Xiao Y, Wu J, Lin JY, et al. Pulse electrodeposition of CoS on MWCNT/Ti as a high performance counter electrode for a Pt-free dye-sensitized solar cell. J Mater Chem A, 2013, 1: 1289–1295

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Xiao Y, Wu J, Lin J, et al. A high performance Pt-free counter electrode of nickel sulfide/multi-wall carbon nanotube/titanium used in dye-sensitized solar cells. J Mater Chem A, 2013, 1: 13885–13889

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Liu J, Li C, Zhao Y, et al. Synthesis of NiCo2S4 nanowire arrays through ion exchange reaction and their application in Pt-free counter-electrode. Mater Lett, 2016, 166: 154–157

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Hou W, Xiao Y, Han G. An interconnected ternary MIn2S4 (M=Fe, Co, Ni) thiospinel nanosheet array: A type of efficient platinumfree counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells. Angew Chem Int Ed, 2017, 56: 9146–9150

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Chen SL, Tao J, Shu HB, et al. Efficient electron transfer kuramite Cu3SnS4 nanosheet thin film towards platinum-free cathode in dyesensitized solar cells. J Power Sources, 2017, 341: 60–67

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Yao F, Sun P, Sun X, et al. One-step hydrothermal synthesis of ZnS-CoS microcomposite as low cost counter electrode for dyesensitized solar cells. Appl Surf Sci, 2016, 363: 459–465

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Su L, Xiao Y, Han G. Synthesis of highly active cobalt molybdenum sulfide nanosheets by a one-step hydrothermal method for use in dye-sensitized solar cells. J Mater Sci, 2017, 52: 13541–13551

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Wu J, Xiao Y, Tang Q, et al. A large-area light-weight dye-sensitized solar cell based on all titanium substrates with an efficiency of 6.69% outdoors. Adv Mater, 2012, 24: 1884–1888

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Wen X, Wei X, Yang L, et al. Self-assembled FeS2 cubes anchored on reduced graphene oxide as an anode material for lithium ion batteries. J Mater Chem A, 2015, 3: 2090–2096

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Yue G, Lin JY, Tai SY, et al. A catalytic composite film of MoS2/graphene flake as a counter electrode for Pt-free dye-sensitized solar cells. Electrochim Acta, 2012, 85: 162–168

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Yue G, Wu J, Xiao Y, et al. High performance platinum-free counter electrode of molybdenum sulfide–carbon used in dyesensitized solar cells. J Mater Chem A, 2013, 1: 1495–1501

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Jiang S, Yin X, Zhang J, et al. Vertical ultrathin MoS2 nanosheets on a flexible substrate as an efficient counter electrode for dyesensitized solar cells. Nanoscale, 2015, 7: 10459–10464

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Xue H, Yu DYW, Qing J, et al. Pyrite FeS2 microspheres wrapped by reduced graphene oxide as high-performance lithium-ion battery anodes. J Mater Chem A, 2015, 3: 7945–7949

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Roy-Mayhew JD, Bozym DJ, Punckt C, et al. Functionalized graphene as a catalytic counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells. ACS Nano, 2010, 4: 6203–6211

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Fujiwara A, Matsuoka Y, Matsuoka Y, et al. Photoconductivity of single-wall carbon nanotube films. Carbon, 2004, 42: 919–922

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Saito Y, Kubo W, Kitamura T, et al. I−/I3 − redox reaction behavior on poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) counter electrode in dyesensitized solar cells. J PhotoChem PhotoBiol A-Chem, 2004, 164: 153–157

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Biallozor S. Study on poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) behaviour in the I−/I2 solution. Electrochem Commun, 2000, 2: 480–486

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Wang M, Anghel AM, Marsan B, et al. CoS supersedes Pt as efficient electrocatalyst for triiodide reduction in dye-sensitized solar cells. J Am Chem Soc, 2009, 131: 15976–15977

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Li H, Xiao Y, Han G, et al. Honeycomb-like poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) as an effective and transparent counter electrode in bifacial dye-sensitized solar cells. J Power Sources, 2017, 342: 709–716

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Koide N, Islam A, Chiba Y, et al. Improvement of efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells based on analysis of equivalent circuit. J PhotoChem PhotoBiol A-Chem, 2006, 182: 296–305

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (61504076, 21574076, and U1510121), National Natural Science Foundation of Shanxi Province (2015021129 and 2014011016-1), Fund of Fujian Key Laboratory of Photoelectric Functional Materials (FJPFM-201502), and Ministry of Science and Technology Taiwan (MOST 106-2923-E-036-002-MY3 and MOST 106-2221-E-036-018). And we are also grateful for the test platform provided by Shanxi University of Scientific Instrument Center.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Molecular Science, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Education Ministry, Innovation Center of Chemistry and Molecular Science, Key Laboratory of Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage of Shanxi Province, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, China

    Lijun Su  (苏丽君), Yaoming Xiao  (肖尧明) & Gaoyi Han  (韩高义)

  2. Fujian Key Laboratory of Functional Materials, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, 361021, China

    Lijun Su  (苏丽君), Yaoming Xiao  (肖尧明) & Jihuai Wu  (吴季怀)

  3. Department of Chemical Engineering, Tatung University, Taipei, 104, China

    Jeng-Yu Lin  (林正裕)

Authors
  1. Lijun Su  (苏丽君)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yaoming Xiao  (肖尧明)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Gaoyi Han  (韩高义)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jeng-Yu Lin  (林正裕)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Jihuai Wu  (吴季怀)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Yaoming Xiao  (肖尧明) or Jeng-Yu Lin  (林正裕).

Additional information

Lijun Su is currently pursuing her Master degree at the Institute of Molecular Science of Shanxi University. Her research is focused on the dye-sensitized solar cells.

Yaoming Xiao is currently a professor at the Institute of Molecular Science of Shanxi University. He received his PhD degree from the Institute of Materials Physical Chemistry at Huaqiao University in 2013. His current research includes dye-sensitized solar cells and perovskite solar cells.

Electronic supplementary material

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Su, L., Xiao, Y., Han, G. et al. Effective iron-molybdenum-disulfide counter electrodes for use in platinum-free dye-sensitized solar cells. Sci. China Mater. 61, 1278–1284 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40843-018-9260-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40843-018-9260-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation