Solution Processed NixSy Films: Composition, Morphology and Crystallinity Tuning via Ni/S-Ratio-Control and Application in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. (20th August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sun, Panpan; Huang, Taian; Chen, Ziyu; Tian, Liangyu; Huang, Huihui; Huang, Niu; Zhou, Sha; Long, Min; Sun, Yihua; Sun, Xiaohua
• Is Part Of: Electrochimica acta. Volume 246(2017)
• Page Start: 285
• Page End: 293
• Publication Date: 2017-08-20
• Subjects: dye-sensitized solar cells -- counter electrode -- nickel sulfide -- Ni/S-ratio-control -- electrocatalytic activity; Electrochemistry -- Periodicals; Electrochemistry, Industrial -- Periodicals; 541.37
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2017.06.023
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-4686

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Abstract: The design and facile fabrication of highly efficient, cost-effective and earth abundant counter electrode material on an electrode surface is highly desirable for the application of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Herein, using a N, N-dimethylformamide based solution process, transition metal chalcogenide Nix Sy films have been obtained by spin-coating a NiCl2 -thiourea (Ni-Tu) solution combining mild thermal treatment. XRD, SEM and TEM characterizations reveal that the current procedure allows for phase composition (Ni3 S2, NiS and NiS-NiS2 ), crystallinity, morphology (film uniformity and compactness) control of the films through simple adjusting Ni/S ratio in the precursor solution. Electrochemical analysis indicates that the FTO supported Ni3 S2 and NiS films exhibit excellent electrocatalytic activity toward the reduction of triiodide, resulting in higher photo-electric conversion efficiencies of 6.86% and 6.95% when used as counter electrode in DSSCs, versus 6.66% for Pt. In particular, even without the support of conductive FTO layer, Hall effect measurements and electrocatalytic analysis reveal that pristine Nix Sy films exhibit good electrical conductivity and electrocatalytic activity, yielding a highest photo-electric conversion efficiency of 4.41% when used as counter electrode in DSSCs. Our study thus provides a facile procedure which allows for composition, morphology optimization and high performance for low-cost, large-scale DSSC application.