Enhanced photoresponse in dye-sensitized solar cells via localized surface plasmon resonance through highly stable nickel nanoparticles

Abstract

We demonstrated the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect of Ni nanoparticles (NiNPs) on the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Our study revealed that NiNPs in a conventional I(-)/I3(-) electrolyte (NiNPs@I(-)/I3(-)) increased the net optical absorption of a N719 dye over a broad wavelength range by LSPR, and concurrently improved the power conversion efficiency (PCE) in DSSCs. At an optimized concentration of the NiNPs@I(-)/I3(-) electrolyte (1 mg mL(-1)), N719-sensitized DSSCs with a photoanode thickness of ca. 2, 5, and 10 μm, exhibited net PCEs of 2.32, 6.02, and 9.83%, respectively. These efficiencies were consistent with a net improvement of 43.2, 20.4, and 12.7%, respectively and were mainly attributed to a significant enhancement of the short circuit current density (Jsc) by the LSPR from the NiNPs. Similar effects were observed for cells sensitized by the N3, Ru505, and Z907 dyes. Furthermore, the NiNPs exhibited excellent resistance to corrosion from a conventional I(-)/I3(-) electrolyte over a period of 60 days.

Low-Cost and Efficient Nickel Nitroprusside/Graphene Nanohybrid Electrocatalysts as Counter Electrodes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

“…For the replacement of Pt-CE, numerous studies have demonstrated, using, for example, carbonaceous materials (e.g., graphene, carbon nanotubes, active carbon, graphite, carbon black) [ 12 ], conducting polymers (CPs) (e.g., polyaniline, polypyrrole, and poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene) (PEDOT: PSS)) [ 13 ], transition metal compounds (e.g., carbides, nitrides, oxides) [ 14 ], and various hybrids or composites materials [ 15 ], which are about 10 to 10,000 times cheaper than that of Pt-CE [ 10 ]. Among them, nanostructures of metallic Ni and its compounds (e.g., oxides, sulfides, ternary sulfides, phosphides) are potentially suitable CE materials because of their decent corrosion resistance to the I − /I 3 − redox mediator and low cost [ 11 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. However, their electrocatalytic activity for the redox reaction of I − /I 3 − and electrical conductivity is inadequate for developing high-performance DSSCs [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ].…”

Sunlight induced photo-thermal synergistic catalytic CO2 conversion via localized surface plasmon resonance of MoO3−x

“…(1) They show strong localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) phenomena, which can enhance IR light absorption to improve the photo-thermal conversion. [24][25][26] and (2) more defect sites, which can enhance the adsorption of substrate molecules. At the same time, defect sites also decrease the CO2 reduction barrier, thus, enhancing the performance of photocatalytic conversion of CO2 [27] due to photogenerated electrons that determine the reduction reactions.…”

Magneto-Plasmonic Colloidal Nanoparticles Obtained by Laser Ablation of Nickel and Silver Targets in Water

“…Due to the nature of transition metals, nanosized nickel has found applications in the fields of magnetic devices, 1,2 catalysts, 3,4 batteries, 5 fuel cells, 6,7 and solar cells, 8 among others. Hence, the synthesis of Ni nanoparticles has attracted considerable attention.…”