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Kharboot LH, Fadil NA, Bakar TAA, Najib ASM, Nordin NH, Ghazali H. A Review of Transition Metal Sulfides as Counter Electrodes for Dye-Sensitized and Quantum Dot-Sensitized Solar Cells. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 16:2881. [PMID: 37049175 PMCID: PMC10095893 DOI: 10.3390/ma16072881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Third-generation solar cells, including dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) and quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs), have been associated with low-cost material requirements, simple fabrication processes, and mechanical robustness. Hence, counter electrodes (CEs) are a critical component for the functionality of these solar cells. Although platinum (Pt)-based CEs have been dominant in CE fabrication, they are costly and have limited market availability. Therefore, it is important to find alternative materials to overcome these issues. Transition metal chalcogenides (TMCs) and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have demonstrated capabilities as a more cost-effective alternative to Pt materials. This advantage has been attributed to their strong electrocatalytic activity, excellent thermal stability, tunability of bandgap energies, and variable crystalline morphologies. In this study, a comprehensive review of the major components and working principles of the DSSC and QDSSC are presented. In developing CEs for DSSCs and QDSSCs, various TMS materials synthesized through several techniques are thoroughly reviewed. The performance efficiencies of DSSCs and QDSSCs resulting from TMS-based CEs are subjected to in-depth comparative analysis with Pt-based CEs. Thus, the power conversion efficiency (PCE), fill factor (FF), short circuit current density (Jsc) and open circuit voltage (Voc) are investigated. Based on this review, the PCEs for DSSCs and QDSSCs are found to range from 5.37 to 9.80% (I-/I3- redox couple electrolyte) and 1.62 to 6.70% (S-2/Sx- electrolyte). This review seeks to navigate the future direction of TMS-based CEs towards the performance efficiency improvement of DSSCs and QDSSCs in the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Layla Haythoor Kharboot
- Department of Materials, Manufacturing, and Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai 81310, Johor, Malaysia; (L.H.K.); (T.A.A.B.); (A.S.M.N.)
| | - Nor Akmal Fadil
- Department of Materials, Manufacturing, and Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai 81310, Johor, Malaysia; (L.H.K.); (T.A.A.B.); (A.S.M.N.)
- Materials Research and Consultancy Group, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai 81310, Johor, Malaysia
| | - Tuty Asma Abu Bakar
- Department of Materials, Manufacturing, and Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai 81310, Johor, Malaysia; (L.H.K.); (T.A.A.B.); (A.S.M.N.)
- Materials Research and Consultancy Group, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai 81310, Johor, Malaysia
| | - Abdillah Sani Mohd Najib
- Department of Materials, Manufacturing, and Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai 81310, Johor, Malaysia; (L.H.K.); (T.A.A.B.); (A.S.M.N.)
- Materials Research and Consultancy Group, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai 81310, Johor, Malaysia
| | - Norhuda Hidayah Nordin
- Department of Manufacturing and Material Engineering, International Islamic University Malaysia, Jalan Gombak, Kuala Lumpur 53100, Selangor, Malaysia;
| | - Habibah Ghazali
- College of Engineering and Science, Victoria University, Footscray Park Campus, Ballarat Road, Footscray, P.O. Box 14428, Melbourne, VIC 8001, Australia;
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Huang N, Yan S, Yang L, Zhang M, Sun P, Lv X, Sun X. Morphology and defect modification on in-situ derived Co9S8-porous nitrogen-doped carbon as a bifunctional electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution and reduction. J SOLID STATE CHEM 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jssc.2020.121185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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Huang N, Yang L, Zhang M, Yan S, Ding Y, Sun P, Sun X. Cobalt‐Embedded N‐Doped Carbon Arrays Derived In Situ as Trifunctional Catalyst Toward Hydrogen and Oxygen Evolution, and Oxygen Reduction. ChemElectroChem 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/celc.201901106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Niu Huang
- College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Hubei Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for New Energy Microgrid, Collaborative Innovation Center for Energy Equipment of Three Gorges Region, Key Laboratory of Inorganic Nonmetallic Crystalline and Energy Conversion Materials China Three Gorges University Yichang 443002 China
| | - Liu Yang
- College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Hubei Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for New Energy Microgrid, Collaborative Innovation Center for Energy Equipment of Three Gorges Region, Key Laboratory of Inorganic Nonmetallic Crystalline and Energy Conversion Materials China Three Gorges University Yichang 443002 China
| | - Mingyi Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Photonic and Electronic Bandgap Materials, Ministry of Education, School of Physics and Electronic Engineering Harbin Normal University Harbin 150025 China
| | - Shufang Yan
- College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Hubei Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for New Energy Microgrid, Collaborative Innovation Center for Energy Equipment of Three Gorges Region, Key Laboratory of Inorganic Nonmetallic Crystalline and Energy Conversion Materials China Three Gorges University Yichang 443002 China
| | - Yuyue Ding
- College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Hubei Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for New Energy Microgrid, Collaborative Innovation Center for Energy Equipment of Three Gorges Region, Key Laboratory of Inorganic Nonmetallic Crystalline and Energy Conversion Materials China Three Gorges University Yichang 443002 China
| | - Panpan Sun
- College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Hubei Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for New Energy Microgrid, Collaborative Innovation Center for Energy Equipment of Three Gorges Region, Key Laboratory of Inorganic Nonmetallic Crystalline and Energy Conversion Materials China Three Gorges University Yichang 443002 China
| | - Xiaohua Sun
- College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Hubei Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for New Energy Microgrid, Collaborative Innovation Center for Energy Equipment of Three Gorges Region, Key Laboratory of Inorganic Nonmetallic Crystalline and Energy Conversion Materials China Three Gorges University Yichang 443002 China
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Economically viable V2O3@activated carbon composite materials as counter electrodes for dye sensitized solar cells by single step reduction. J Electroanal Chem (Lausanne) 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jelechem.2019.01.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Li X, Bai J, Zhou B, Yuan X, Zhang X, Liu L. High Performance of 3D Symmetric Flowerlike Sb 2 S 3 Nanostructures in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. Chemistry 2018; 24:11444-11450. [PMID: 29984843 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201802048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2018] [Revised: 05/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Antimony sulfide (Sb2 S3 ) is an important chalcogenide belonging to Group V-VI that is suitable for application as a photoelectric material in the fields of photocatalysis, photoconductive detectors, ion conductor materials, and solar energy conversion materials. Herein, a facile, one-step hydrothermal method is used to synthesize a 3D, symmetric, flowerlike Sb2 S3 nanostructure. The structure was composed of numerous nanoneedles, which provided a large void fraction and specific surface area. Characteristic mesoporous structures of the samples contribute to excellent performance. If they were used as counter electrode materials in dye-sensitized solar cells, the photoelectric conversion efficiency was as high as 7.12 %, whereas the photoelectric conversion efficiency of platinum was only 6.46 %. Furthermore, according to the results of cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectra, and Tafel polarization testing, the obtained Sb2 S3 samples have better electrocatalytic activity and charge-transfer ability than that of Pt, and thus, can be regarded as good substitutes for precious metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuemin Li
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, P.R. China
| | - Jinwu Bai
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, P.R. China
| | - Bo Zhou
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, P.R. China
| | - Xianfeng Yuan
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, P.R. China
| | - Xiao Zhang
- Center for Aircraft Fire and Emergency, Economics and Management College, Civil Aviation University of China, Tianjin, 300300, P.R. China
| | - Lu Liu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, P.R. China
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Sun P, Huang T, Chen Z, Tian L, Huang H, Huang N, Zhou S, Long M, Sun Y, Sun X. Solution Processed NixSy Films: Composition, Morphology and Crystallinity Tuning via Ni/S-Ratio-Control and Application in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. Electrochim Acta 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2017.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Bao C, Li F, Wang J, Sun P, Huang N, Sun Y, Fang L, Wang L, Sun X. One-Pot Solvothermal in Situ Growth of 1D Single-Crystalline NiSe on Ni Foil as Efficient and Stable Transparent Conductive Oxide Free Counter Electrodes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2016; 8:32788-32796. [PMID: 27934175 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.6b10198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
One-dimensional single-crystal nanostructural nickel selenides were successfully in situ grown on metal nickel foils by two simple one-step solvothermal methods, which formed NiSe/Ni counter electrodes (CEs) for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The nickel foil acted as the nickel source in the reaction process, a supporting substrate, and an electron transport "speedway". Electrochemical testing indicated that the top 1D single-crystal NiSe exhibited prominent electrocatalytic activity for I3- reduction. Due to the metallic conductivity of Ni substrate and the outstanding electrocatalytic activity of single-crystal NiSe, the DSSC based on a NiSe/Ni CE exhibited higher fill factor (FF) and larger short-circuit current density (Jsc) than the DSSC based on Pt/FTO CE. The corresponding power conversion efficiency (6.75%) outperformed that of the latter (6.18%). Moreover, the NiSe/Ni CEs also showed excellent electrochemical stability in the I-/I3- redox electrolyte. These findings indicated that single-crystal NiSe in situ grown on Ni substrate was a potential candidate to replace Pt/TCO as a cheap and highly efficient counter electrode of DSSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Bao
- College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, College of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Hubei Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for New Energy Microgrid, China Three Gorges University , Yichang 443002, China
| | - Faxin Li
- College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, College of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Hubei Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for New Energy Microgrid, China Three Gorges University , Yichang 443002, China
| | - Jiali Wang
- College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, College of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Hubei Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for New Energy Microgrid, China Three Gorges University , Yichang 443002, China
| | - Panpan Sun
- College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, College of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Hubei Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for New Energy Microgrid, China Three Gorges University , Yichang 443002, China
| | - Niu Huang
- College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, College of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Hubei Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for New Energy Microgrid, China Three Gorges University , Yichang 443002, China
| | - Yihua Sun
- College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, College of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Hubei Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for New Energy Microgrid, China Three Gorges University , Yichang 443002, China
| | - Liang Fang
- GuangXi Key Laboratory of New Energy and Building Energy Saving, Guilin University of Technology , Guilin 541004, China
| | - Lei Wang
- GuangXi Key Laboratory of New Energy and Building Energy Saving, Guilin University of Technology , Guilin 541004, China
| | - Xiaohua Sun
- College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, College of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Hubei Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for New Energy Microgrid, China Three Gorges University , Yichang 443002, China
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Sun P, Wu Z, Ai C, Zhang M, Zhang X, Huang N, Sun Y, Sun X. Thermal Evaporation of Sb2Se3as Novel Counter Electrode for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. ChemistrySelect 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.201600289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Panpan Sun
- College of Materials and Chemical Engineering; Hubei Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for New Energy Microgrid; Collaborative Innovation Center for Energy Equipment of Three Gorges Region; Key laboratory of inorganic nonmetallic crystalline and energy conversion materials; China Three Gorges University; Yichang 443002 China
| | - Zhixin Wu
- College of Materials and Chemical Engineering; Hubei Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for New Energy Microgrid; Collaborative Innovation Center for Energy Equipment of Three Gorges Region; Key laboratory of inorganic nonmetallic crystalline and energy conversion materials; China Three Gorges University; Yichang 443002 China
| | - Changzhi Ai
- College of Materials and Chemical Engineering; Hubei Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for New Energy Microgrid; Collaborative Innovation Center for Energy Equipment of Three Gorges Region; Key laboratory of inorganic nonmetallic crystalline and energy conversion materials; China Three Gorges University; Yichang 443002 China
| | - Ming Zhang
- College of Materials and Chemical Engineering; Hubei Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for New Energy Microgrid; Collaborative Innovation Center for Energy Equipment of Three Gorges Region; Key laboratory of inorganic nonmetallic crystalline and energy conversion materials; China Three Gorges University; Yichang 443002 China
| | - Xintong Zhang
- Center for Advanced Optoelectronic Functional Materials Research, and Key Laboratory for UV-Emitting Materials and Technology of Ministry of Education; Northeast Normal University; 5268 Renmin Street Changchun 130024 China
| | - Niu Huang
- College of Materials and Chemical Engineering; Hubei Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for New Energy Microgrid; Collaborative Innovation Center for Energy Equipment of Three Gorges Region; Key laboratory of inorganic nonmetallic crystalline and energy conversion materials; China Three Gorges University; Yichang 443002 China
| | - Yihua Sun
- College of Materials and Chemical Engineering; Hubei Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for New Energy Microgrid; Collaborative Innovation Center for Energy Equipment of Three Gorges Region; Key laboratory of inorganic nonmetallic crystalline and energy conversion materials; China Three Gorges University; Yichang 443002 China
| | - Xiaohua Sun
- College of Materials and Chemical Engineering; Hubei Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for New Energy Microgrid; Collaborative Innovation Center for Energy Equipment of Three Gorges Region; Key laboratory of inorganic nonmetallic crystalline and energy conversion materials; China Three Gorges University; Yichang 443002 China
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Huang N, Zhang S, Huang H, Liu J, Sun Y, Sun P, Bao C, Zheng L, Sun X, Zhao X. Pt-sputtering-like NiCo2S4 counter electrode for efficient dye-sensitized solar cells. Electrochim Acta 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2016.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Li S, Min H, Xu F, Tong L, Chen J, Zhu C, Sun L. All electrochemical fabrication of MoS2/graphene counter electrodes for efficient dye-sensitized solar cells. RSC Adv 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6ra02494g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Exploring inexpensive, high-efficiency counter electrodes (CEs) that rival the traditional platinum (Pt) CEs for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is a great challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengli Li
- SEU-FEI Nano-Pico Center
- Key Laboratory of MEMS of the Ministry of Education
- Southeast University
- Nanjing 210096
- China
| | - Huihua Min
- Electron Microscope Laboratory
- Nanjing Forestry University
- Nanjing 210037
- China
| | - Feng Xu
- SEU-FEI Nano-Pico Center
- Key Laboratory of MEMS of the Ministry of Education
- Southeast University
- Nanjing 210096
- China
| | - Ling Tong
- Jiangnan Graphene Research Institute
- Changzhou 213149
- China
| | - Jing Chen
- School of Electronic Science & Engineering
- Southeast University
- Nanjing 210096
- China
| | - Chongyang Zhu
- SEU-FEI Nano-Pico Center
- Key Laboratory of MEMS of the Ministry of Education
- Southeast University
- Nanjing 210096
- China
| | - Litao Sun
- SEU-FEI Nano-Pico Center
- Key Laboratory of MEMS of the Ministry of Education
- Southeast University
- Nanjing 210096
- China
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Huang N, Chen L, Huang H, Sun W, Zhang S, Sun P, Sun X, Xiang P, Sun Y, Zhao X. Bilayer TiO2 Photoanode Consisting of Microspheres and Pyramids with Reinforced Interface Connection and Light Utilization for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. Electrochim Acta 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2015.08.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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