Mo2C microspheres and nanorods as counter electrode catalysts for iodide-free redox couples in dye-sensitized solar cells. Issue 27 (22nd June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zheng, Haikuo; Guo, Hongyue; An, Dong; Wu, Kezhong; Gao, Chenjing; Han, Qianji; Zhu, Yajing; Lin, Ya-nan; Wu, Mingxing
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 4:Issue 27(2016)
• Page Start: 6533
• Page End: 6538
• Publication Date: 2016-06-22
• Subjects: Materials -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Optical materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Electronics -- Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/c6tc01715k
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-7526

Abstract

Abstract : Mo2 C microspheres and nanorods were synthesized as highly effective counter electrode catalysts in iodide-free dye-sensitized solar cells. Abstract : In this work, molybdenum carbide microspheres (Mo2 C-Ms) and nanorods (Mo2 C-Nr) are synthesized for use as counter electrode (CE) catalysts in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), specifically towards the regeneration of iodide-free redox couples of T2 /T − and Co 3+/2+ . In the T2 /T − based DSSCs, the prepared Mo2 C-Ms and Mo2 C-Nr both show high catalytic behavior, and the devices generate power conversion efficiency (PCE) values of 5.50% (Mo2 C-Ms) and 4.86% (Mo2 C-Nr), respectively, much higher than the Pt CE based counterpart (3.73%). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and Tafel polarization curve measurements reveal that Mo2 C-Ms also show higher catalytic activity for the Co 3+/2+ redox couple that is competitive with the traditional Pt CE. The device using a Mo2 C-Ms CE achieves a high PCE of 8.70%, indicating great potential to replace the expensive Pt CE.