One dimensional CuInS2–ZnS heterostructured nanomaterials as low-cost and high-performance counter electrodes of dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract

Wurtzite CuInS 2 -ZnS heterostructured nanorods are synthesized via a seed-assisted synthetic route. Cu 1.94 S-ZnS heterostructured nanorods are transformed into CuInS 2 -ZnS by reacting with indium ions to convert copper sulfide to wurtzite CuInS 2 . The shapes of the CuInS 2 -ZnS heterostructured nanorods can be tuned from burning torch-like to longer rod-like by varying the concentration of added indium.Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) using these heterostructured nanocrystals as counter electrodes had a power conversion efficiency (7.5%) superior to DSSCs made with conventional platinum electrode (7.1%) under the same device configuration.Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are among the most promising photovoltaic devices for light-to-energy conversion with a relatively high efficiency. 1 Among different constitution components, the counter electrode is one of the most important parts in DSSCs, and platinum (Pt) is most commonly used. Unfortunately, Pt is relatively scarce and expensive, which creates a big obstacle for scale-up application of DSSC devices. 2 Therefore, lower-cost alternatives for counter electrodes in DSSCs are being sought.Generally, the counter electrode accomplishes two critical functions: it collects the electrons owing from the external circuit and regenerates the hole scavenger by catalyzing the reduction of I 3 À to I À . 3 Several previous reports have adopted electrically conductive materials for counter electrodes of DSSCs, including graphite, 4 carbon black, 2 carbon nanotubes, 5 and conducting polymers. 6 The efficiencies of these devices have generally been low, below 5%, because these materials have poor catalytic activity toward I 3 À /I À conversion. Very recently, alternative inorganic compounds, such as metal suldes, 7-9 metal oxides, 10 metal nitrides 11 and metal carbides, 12 have been studied as counter electrodes in DSSCs. In addition to a rather high electrical conductivity, these materials, especially CuZnSnS 4 , 7 have exhibited high catalytic activity toward I 3 À /I À pairs, and have been used to achieve device efficiencies comparable to DSSCs with Pt counter electrodes. However, current investigation on the counter electrodes is mainly focused on single chemical compounds of the simple

Fabrication of AgInS2 nanoparticles sensitized TiO2 nanotube arrays and their photoelectrochemical properties

“…Chalcopyrite ternary semiconductor nanoparticles of I-III-VI 2 groups that do not contain any highly toxic elements have recently become promising alternative materials due to their excellent electrical and optical properties [14,15]. Ternary AgInS 2 has a distinctive absorption in the visible and near-infrared regions because of its large absorption coefficient and its band gap energy between 1.87 and 2.03 eV, and it is considered one of the potential candidates for promising applications in photovoltaic and photocatalytic fields [16,17].…”

Template Synthesis of CuInS2 Nanocrystals from In2S3 Nanoplates and Their Application as Counter Electrodes in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] For example, CuInS 2 NCs are regarded as promising candidates as light absorber or counter electrode (CE) in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), due to the advantage of low cost and simple fabrication process. [18][19][20][21][22][23] Because the electronic structure of these materials strongly correlate with the [Cu]/[In] ratios, there is a great need to precisely control their size, shape, surface and compositions. 3,19,24,25 Although great success has been made in synthesis of ternary and quaternary NCs, providing several routes including thermal decomposition of single precursors, [26][27][28][29][30] solvothermal synthesis approach, [31][32][33] hot-injection 4,5,[34][35][36] and non-injection methods, 7, 37-41 the different reactivity of metallic cation precursors often leads to a poor stoichiometric control and the formation of intermediate products such as biphasic nanomaterials and heterostructures.…”

CdS/CdSe co-sensitized TiO2 nanowire-coated hollow Spheres exceeding 6% photovoltaic performance

“…Encouragingly, a series of transition metal sulfides can be competent for substitutions [53][54][55][56]. Herein a facile and simple one-step chemical bath deposition method is used to directly grow a thin film of Cu 2 S onto FTO glass.…”