Issue 6, 2021

Porous rGO/ZnSe/CoSe2 dispersed in PEDOT:PSS as an efficient counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract

In this work, we employ a simple hydrothermal method to synthesize a metal–organic framework (MOF) derived selenide from a reduced graphene oxide (rGO)/structured zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF). The resulting MOF-derived selenide (rGO/ZnSe/CoSe2) consists of porous nanowires encapsulated in a carbon matrix and having a high surface area (169.30 m2 g−1). This porous rGO/ZnSe/CoSe2 is combined with polystyrene sulfonate-doped poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT:PSS) for use as a CE for DSSCs. CEs based on different weight percentages (1, 3, and 5 wt%) of rGO/ZnSe/CoSe2 powder in PEDOT:PSS solution are compared with the commonly used platinum (Pt) based CE. The rGO/ZnSe/CoSe2–PEDOT:PSS composite benefits from the synergistic effects between porous rGO/ZnSe/CoSe2 having a high surface area and PEDOT:PSS which holds superior conductivity and strong binding capability with a fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass substrate. Therefore, the 3 wt% rGO/ZnSe/CoSe2–PEDOT:PSS composite based CE achieved a good stability and superior electrocatalytic activity compared to Pt CE. Furthermore, DSSCs based on a 3 wt% rGO/ZnSe/CoSe2–PEDOT:PSS composite CE achieved a higher power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 8.60%, compared to the PCE of the Pt CE based DSSC (7.14%) prepared under similar conditions. This work has revealed a new approach to prepare MOF-derived selenide based CEs with high electrocatalytic activity without any calcination. In addition, we demonstrated that the low-cost 3 wt% rGO/ZnSe/CoSe2–PEDOT:PSS composite CE is an excellent candidate to replace Pt CE in DSSCs.

Graphical abstract: Porous rGO/ZnSe/CoSe2 dispersed in PEDOT:PSS as an efficient counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Research Article
Submitted
21 Dec 2020
Accepted
23 Jan 2021
First published
25 Jan 2021

Mater. Chem. Front., 2021,5, 2702-2714

Porous rGO/ZnSe/CoSe2 dispersed in PEDOT:PSS as an efficient counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells

A. R. Tapa, W. Xiang, Abdelaal. S. A. Ahmed, S. Wu, B. Li, Q. Liu, C. M. J. Chuti and X. Zhao, Mater. Chem. Front., 2021, 5, 2702 DOI: 10.1039/D0QM01078B

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