Exploring the synergistic effect of NixSn2xS4x thiospinel with MWCNTs for enhanced performance in dye-sensitized solar cells, the hydrogen evolution reaction, and supercapacitors. Issue 16 (7th April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Saravanakumar, T.; Selvaraju, T.; Bhojanaa, K. B.; Ramesh, M.; Pandikumar, A.; Akilan, R.; Shankar, R.; Sardhar Basha, S. J.
• Is Part Of: Dalton transactions. Volume 49:Issue 16(2020)
• Page Start: 5336
• Page End: 5351
• Publication Date: 2020-04-07
• Subjects: Chemistry, Inorganic -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Physical and theoretical -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Inorganic -- Periodicals; 546.05
• DOI: 10.1039/d0dt00839g
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1477-9226

Abstract

Abstract : Trifunctional thiospinel-like M–Ni x Sn2 x S4 x nanocomposite was synthesized with ease. Abstract : Trifunctional nickel tin sulfide (Ni x Sn2 x S4 x ) with a thiospinel-like structure composited with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) (M–Ni x Sn2 x S4 x ) was synthesized by a facile method. The unit cell arrangement of the prepared composite was studied by density functional theory, and the theoretical interpretation satisfactorily inferred the presence of a synergistic effect between the thiospinel and MWCNTs. The high metallic conductivity and superior electrocatalytic activity of the M–Ni x Sn2 x S4 x composite endow it with diverse applications. The composite shows promise as a counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells (efficiency of 4.67% for fluorine-doped indium tin oxide compared to 5.23% for platinum); an efficient catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction with good cycling stability and a low overpotential of −41 mV at a cathode current density of 10 mA cm 2 and a Tafel slope of 43 mV dec −1 on a graphite sheet electrode; and an impressive capacitance material on a graphite sheet electrode alternative to expensive current collectors such as Ni foam, with a specific capacitance value of 1200 F g −1 at a current density of 1 A g −1 and a long life span of 92.6% that is retained for up to 15 000 cycles.