WS₂ and MoS₂ counter electrode materials for dye‐sensitized solar cells

Abstract

Being confronted with the energy crisis and environmental problems, the exploration of clean and renewable energy materials as well as their devices are urgently demanded. Dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have attracted widespread attention in recent years as potential cost‐effective alternatives to silicon‐based and thin film solar cells. Two‐dimensional (2D) graphene‐like transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), such as WS2 and MoS2, have showed vast potential as novel energy materials due to their unique physicochemical properties. In this review, we outline the applications of WS2 and MoS2 as counter electrode materials in DSSCs. First, a brief introduction of structures and basic properties of WS2 and MoS2 are presented. Then, we summarize the exciting progress of these two materials for DSSCs. Finally, the prospect and further developments in these exciting fields of TMDs are also suggested.

Solution-processed two-dimensional materials for next-generation photovoltaics

“…834 CV measurements revealed that both MoS 2 -and WS 2 -based CEs hold a catalytic activity, for the redox couple regeneration, comparable to that of the Pt-based CE. 833 Consequently, the DSSCs using MoS 2 -and WS 2 -based CEs have shown an Z value of 7.59% and 7.73%, respectively, which were comparable to that of the reference DSSC using a Pt-based CE. 833 EIS analysis estimated R CT values of 0.5 and 0.3 O for MoS 2 -and WS 2 -based CE, respectively, together with large electrode capacitances (134 and 198 mF, respectively) (i.e., large SSA).…”

“…833 Consequently, the DSSCs using MoS 2 -and WS 2 -based CEs have shown an Z value of 7.59% and 7.73%, respectively, which were comparable to that of the reference DSSC using a Pt-based CE. 833 EIS analysis estimated R CT values of 0.5 and 0.3 O for MoS 2 -and WS 2 -based CE, respectively, together with large electrode capacitances (134 and 198 mF, respectively) (i.e., large SSA). 833 These values outperformed those of Pt-based CE (R CT of 3 O and capacitance of 2.1 mF).…”

“…833 These values outperformed those of Pt-based CE (R CT of 3 O and capacitance of 2.1 mF). 833 Freitas et al prepared MoS 2 through a hydrothermal route to be used as the CE material using I À /I 3 À as the redox couple. 835 MoS Dye-sensitized solar cells based on MoS 2 /SWCNTs as the CE exhibited an Z value of 8.14%, superior to that of Pt-based DSSCs (7.78%).…”

“…833 EIS analysis estimated R CT values of 0.5 and 0.3 O for MoS 2 -and WS 2 -based CE, respectively, together with large electrode capacitances (134 and 198 mF, respectively) (i.e., large SSA). 833 These values outperformed those of Pt-based CE (R CT of 3 O and capacitance of 2.1 mF). 833 Freitas et al prepared MoS 2 through a hydrothermal route to be used as the CE material using I À /I 3 À as the redox couple.…”

Chemical Vapor Deposition Mediated Phase Engineering for 2D Transition Metal Dichalcogenides: Strategies and Applications

“…Recently, the high catalytic activity of the CE toward the reduction of I 3 − has become an important research area because the CE executes two important tasks: it catalyzes the reduction reaction of the electrolyte (I 3 − to I − ) and also collects the electrons from the external circuit carrying them back to the dye. [ 90 ] CEs are commonly made of a thin film of Pt and although its performance is very efficient, its high cost restricts further development. Therefore, to develop alternative and cheaper materials to substitute Pt electrodes has become a priority.…”