3D nanorhombus nickel nitride as stable and cost-effective counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells and supercapacitor applications. Issue 16 (27th February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Prasad, Saradh; Durai, G.; Devaraj, D.; AlSalhi, Mohamad Saleh; Theerthagiri, J.; Arunachalam, Prabhakarn; Gurulakshmi, M.; Raghavender, M.; Kuppusami, P.
• Is Part Of: RSC advances. Volume 8:Issue 16(2018)
• Page Start: 8828
• Page End: 8835
• Publication Date: 2018-02-27
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1039/c8ra00347e
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2046-2069

Abstract

Abstract : Self-supported 3D nano-rhombus (nano-diamond) shaped Ni3 N coated on FTO glass which serves as a CE in DSSCs and supercapacitors. . Abstract : Transition metal nitride based materials have attracted significant interest owing to their excellent properties and multiple applications in the field of electrochemical energy conversion and storage devices. Herein we synthesize 3D nanorhombus nickel nitride (Ni3 N) thin films by adopting a reactive radio frequency magnetron sputtering process. The as-deposited 3D nano rhombus Ni3 N thin films were utilized as cost-effective electrodes in the fabrication of supercapacitors (SCs) and dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The structure, phase formation, surface morphology and elemental composition of the as-deposited Ni3 N thin films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The electrochemical supercapacitive performance of the Ni3 N thin films was examined by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic charge–discharge (GCD) techniques, in 3 M KOH supporting electrolyte. The areal capacitance of the Ni3 N thin film electrode obtained from CV analysis was 319.5 mF cm −2 at a lower scan rate of 10 mV s −1 . Meanwhile, the Ni3 N thin film showed an excellent cyclic stability and retained 93.7% efficiency of its initial capacitance after 2000 cycles at 100 mV s −1 . Interestingly, the DSSCs fabricated with a Ni3 N CE showed a notable power energy conversion efficiency of 2.88% and remarkable stability. The prominent performance of the Ni3 N thin film was ascribed mainly due to good conductivity, high electrochemically active sites with excellent 3D nano rhombus structures and high electrocatalytic activity. Overall, these results demonstrate that the Ni3 N electrode is capable of being considered for efficient SCs and DSSCs. This investigation also offers an essential directive for the advancement of energy storage and conversion devices.