Edge-oriented MoS₂ aligned on cellular reduced graphene for enriched dye-sensitized solar cell photovoltaic efficiency

Abstract

The counter electrode (CE) prominence in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is undisputed with research geared towards replacement of Pt with viable substitutes with exceptional conductivity and catalytic activity. Herein, we report the replaceable CE with better performance than that of Pt-based electrode. The chemistry between the graphene oxide and ice templates leads to cellular formation of reduced graphene oxide that achieves greater conductivity to the CE. The simultaneous growth of active edge-oriented MoS₂ on the CE through CVD possesses high reflectivity. High reflective MoS₂ trends to increase the electroactivity by absorbing more photons from the source to dye molecules. Thus, the synergistic effect of two materials was found to showcase better photovoltaic performance of 7.6% against 7.3% for traditional platinum CE.

Keywords

dye-sensitized solar cell / graphene oxide / molybdenum disulfide / counter electrode

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Acknowledgements

We gratefully thank for the Science Foundation of China University of Petroleum, Beijing (2462017YJRC051 and C201603), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 21776308, 21576289 and 21322609), the Science Foundation Research Funds Provided to New Recruitments of China University of Petroleum, Beijing (2462014QZDX01) and Thousand Talents Program.

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