Bi2S3 can do it all: Sensitizer, counter electrode, and supercapacitor for symmetric solar cell assisted photo‐supercapacitor. (1st April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Isaqu, John Peter; Vnekatesan, Ragavendran; Nagalingam, Rajamanickam; Mayandi, Jeyanthinath; Perumal, Nithiananthi
• Other Names: Bicer Yusuf guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: International journal of energy research. Volume 46:Number 8(2022)
• Page Start: 11065
• Page End: 11078
• Publication Date: 2022-04-01
• Subjects: Bi2S3 nanocapsules -- counter electrode -- dye‐sensitized solar cells -- photo‐supercapacitor -- symmetric cell; Power resources -- Periodicals; Power (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Research -- Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1002/er.7908
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0363-907X

Abstract

Summary: The current research motivation is to fabricate and demonstrate Pt‐free dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) at a low‐cost and an electrode for supercapacitor. In this study, a well‐known sensitizer in quantum dot solar cells, that is, Bi2 S3 and Bi2 S3 /MWCNT hybrids have been synthesized and positioned as an electrocatalyst for the reduction of triiodide to iodide ( I 3 − / I − ). Developed DSSC cell‐based on Bi2 S3 /MWCNT counter electrode (CE) achieves a power conversion efficiency of 4.8%, surpassing the corresponding Bi2 S3 CE (1.06%) where the efficiency of the present CE yields ~83% of the conventional Pt CE efficiency (~5.8%). In addition, a series of electrochemical investigations reveal that the Bi2 S3 /MWCNT outperformed the pristine Bi2 S3 in terms of electroconductivity and electrocatalytic behavior. This mixture is also favorable for supercapacitors and Bi2 S3 /MWCNT has the maximum specific capacity of 133 F g −1 with 1 A g −1 in 0.5 M of Na2 SO4 with the acceptable capacitance retention of around 80% for 3000 cycles and excellent rate capability (48 F g −1 at 5 A g −1 ). Besides, the symmetric cell, that is, TiO2 /Bi2 S3 /( I 3 − / I − )/Bi2 S3 has been manufactured and tested successfully. Thus, Bi2 S3 is not only a substitute for the conventional Pt‐based CE in DSSCs but also can be a potential energy storage material and sensitizer for photo‐supercapacitor applications. Abstract : Photo‐supercapacitor can be constructed using Bi2 S3 as a sensitizer, counter electrode, and supercapacitor without the need for degradable conducting polymer.