Surface-Supported Metal–Organic Framework Thin-Film-Derived Transparent CoS_1.097@N-Doped Carbon Film as an Efficient Counter Electrode for Bifacial Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract

An effective design for counter electrode (CE) catalytic materials with superior catalytic activity, excellent stability, low cost, and a facile fabrication process is urgently needed for industrialization of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Herein, we report a facile in situ method to fabricate transparent CoS1.097 anchored on an N-doped carbon film electrode through sulfurization of a cobalt–metalloporphyrin metal–organic framework thin film on fluorine-doped tin oxide glass. The transparent film as counter electrode in bifacial DSSCs exhibited higher power conversion efficiency (9.11% and 6.64%), respectively, from front and rear irradiation than that of Pt (8.04% and 5.87%). The uniformly dispersed CoS1.097 nanoparticles on an N-doped carbon film provide a large catalytic active area and facilitate the electron transfer, which leads to the excellent catalytic ability of the CoS1.097@N-doped carbon film. In addition, the in situ preparation of the uniform film with a nanosheet structure offers high electrical conductivity and unobstructed access for the diffusion of triiodide to available electroactive sites, resulting in excellent device performance with superior long-term stability over 1000 h under natural conditions.

Metal-Organic Framework Materials for Perovskite Solar Cells

“…Carbon materials are promising metal-free electrode materials with high surface area and electrical conductivity; however, their stability is relatively poor. To compensate for the shortcomings of carbon materials, Ou et al synthesized a transparent CoS 1.097 @N-doped carbon film derived from a cobalt-metalloporphyrin MOF thin film and used it as a counter electrode in DSSCs [80]. The CoS 1.097 nanoparticles were uniformly dispersed on the N-doped carbon film, facilitating electron transfer.…”

The Performance‐Determining Role of Lewis Bases in Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells Employing Copper‐Bisphenanthroline Redox Mediators

“…[ 5–10 ] Recent developments of new photoanodes, counter electrodes, dyes, and co‐adsorption strategies have further improved device efficiencies. [ 11–28 ] Furthermore, the improved stabilities and efficiencies of aqueous DSCs open up new opportunities for the sustainability of these devices. [ 29–31 ] Recent trends to replace ruthenium dyes with organic or copper dyes and I − /I 3 − ‐based electrolytes with earth‐abundant transition metals such as cobalt‐, iron‐, or copper‐based electrolytes have opened up new pathways to commercialization.…”

Application of Metal-Organic Frameworks and Covalent Organic Frameworks as (Photo)Active Material in Hybrid Photovoltaic Technologies

“…Very recently, Ou et al present a facile method to prepare CoS@N-doped carbon-based counterelectrode starting from a cobalt-based MOF (namely. PIZA-1) [167]. Briefly, the partial sulfurization of the MOF lead to a transparent thin film that acted as cathodic material in a conventional DSSC (Figure 9).…”

“…Schematic illustration of preparation process of CoS1.097@N-doped carbon film CE for DSSCs. Reproduced with permission from[167].…”