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. 2023 Oct 23;13(20):2812.
doi: 10.3390/nano13202812.

Efficient One-Step Synthesis of a Pt-Free Zn0.76Co0.24S Counter Electrode for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells and Its Versatile Application in Photoelectrochromic Devices

Yerbolat Tashenov  1   2 , Diana Suleimenova  1   2 , Bakhytzhan Baptayev  1 , Salimgerey Adilov  1   3 , Mannix P Balanay  1   3
Affiliations

Efficient One-Step Synthesis of a Pt-Free Zn0.76Co0.24S Counter Electrode for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells and Its Versatile Application in Photoelectrochromic Devices

Yerbolat Tashenov et al. Nanomaterials (Basel). .

Abstract

In this study, we synthesized a ternary transition metal sulfide, Zn0.76Co0.24S (ZCS-CE), using a one-step solvothermal method and explored its potential as a Pt-free counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Comprehensive investigations were conducted to characterize the structural, morphological, compositional, and electronic properties of the ZCS-CE electrode. These analyses utilized a range of techniques, including X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The electrocatalytic performance of ZCS-CE for the reduction of I3- species in a symmetrical cell configuration was evaluated through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. Our findings reveal that ZCS-CE displayed superior electrocatalytic activity and stability when compared to platinum in I-/I3- electrolyte systems. Furthermore, ZCS-CE-based DSSCs achieved power conversion efficiencies on par with their Pt-based counterparts. Additionally, we expanded the applicability of this material by successfully powering an electrochromic cell with ZCS-CE-based DSSCs. This work underscores the versatility of ZCS-CE and establishes it as an economically viable and environmentally friendly alternative to Pt-based counter electrodes in DSSCs and other applications requiring outstanding electrocatalytic performance.

Keywords: Prussian Blue; Pt-free counter electrode; dye-sensitized solar cell; photoelectrochromic device; ternary sulfide.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
A schematic diagram of the operational principles of DSSC. CB and VB denote the conduction and valence band of the TiO2, respectively. S/S+ signifies the ground and cationic state of the dye, and S* represents the excited state of the dye. FTO stands for fluorine-doped SnO2.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Schematic illustration of the one-pot synthesis of a Zn0.76Co0.24S counter electrode on an FTO substrate.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Scanning electron microscope images of the ZCS-CE: (a) top view and (b) cross-sectional perspective.
Figure 4
Figure 4
(a) XRD spectrum revealing crystallographic information and (b) elemental mapping of Zn, Co, and S distribution of the of as-prepared ZCS-CE.
Figure 5
Figure 5
(a) XPS survey spectrum of the as-synthesized ZCS-CE. High-resolution XPS spectra of (b) Zn 2p, (c) Co 2p, and (d) S 2p.
Figure 6
Figure 6
(a) Cyclic voltammograms of the counter electrodes; (b) cyclic voltammetry at various scan rates of ZCS-CE; (c) Nyquist plot of symmetrical dummy cells; and (d) Tafel plots of counter electrodes.
Figure 7
Figure 7
(a) Current–voltage curves and (b) Nyquist plot of DSSCs with Pt and ZCS CEs counter electrodes.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Photovoltaic stability of the different CEs used in DSSCs.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Electrochemical behavior of the Prussian Blue layer within the voltage range of −0.5 V to 1.0 V. The insets illustrate the visual color changes observed at various electrochemical states.
Figure 10
Figure 10
Transmittance spectra of Prussian Blue in its bleached, colored, and as-deposited states, accompanied by visual images corresponding to each state.
Figure 11
Figure 11
Schematic illustration of the photoelectrochromic device powered by dye-sensitized solar cells.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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