1
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Lv C, Liu J, Lu B, Ye K, Wang G, Zhu K, Cao D, Xie Y. Iron-doping and facet engineering of NiSe octahedron for synergistically enhanced triiodide reduction activity in photovoltaics. J Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 663:674-684. [PMID: 38430837 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.02.193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Reasonable design of cost-effective counter electrode (CE) catalysts for triiodide (I3-) reduction reaction (IRR) by simultaneously combining heteroatom doping and facet engineering is highly desired in iodine-based dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), but really challenging. Herein, the density function theory (DFT) calculations were first conducted to demonstrate that the Fe-doped NiSe (111) showed an appropriate adsorption energy for I3-, increased number of metal active sites, reinforced charge-transfer ability, and strong interaction between 3d states of metal sites and 5p state of I1 atoms in I3-, compared to NiSe (111). Based on this finding, the well-defined Fe-NiSe octahedron with exposed (111) plane (marked as Fe-NiSe (111)) and NiSe octahedron with the same exposed plane (named as NiSe (111)) are controllably synthesized. When the as-prepared Fe-NiSe (111) and NiSe (111) worked as CE catalysts, Fe-NiSe (111) exhibits improved electrochemical performance with higher power conversion efficiency (PCE) than NiSe (111), providing new opportunity to replace precious Pt for DSSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunmei Lv
- Key Laboratory of Superlight Materials and Surface Technology of Ministry of Education, College of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Key Laboratory of Superlight Materials and Surface Technology of Ministry of Education, College of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Borong Lu
- Key Laboratory of Superlight Materials and Surface Technology of Ministry of Education, College of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Ke Ye
- Key Laboratory of Superlight Materials and Surface Technology of Ministry of Education, College of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, China.
| | - Guiling Wang
- Key Laboratory of Superlight Materials and Surface Technology of Ministry of Education, College of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Kai Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Superlight Materials and Surface Technology of Ministry of Education, College of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Dianxue Cao
- Key Laboratory of Superlight Materials and Surface Technology of Ministry of Education, College of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Ying Xie
- Key Laboratory of Functional Inorganic Material Chemistry, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Heilongjiang University, Harbin 150080, China.
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2
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Wen J, Chen S, Xu Y, Guan T, Zhang X, Bao N. Synthesis of Single Crystal 2D Cu 2FeSnS 4 Nanosheets with High-Energy Facets (111) as a Pt-Free Counter Electrode for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 16:4743. [PMID: 37445056 DOI: 10.3390/ma16134743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Two-dimensional Cu2FeSnS4 (CFTS) nanosheets with exposed high-energy facets (111) have been synthesized by a facile, scalable, and cost-effective one-pot heating process. The CFTS phase formation is confirmed by both X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. The formation mechanism of exposed high-energy facet CFTS growth is proposed and its electrochemical and photoelectrochemical properties are investigated in detail to reveal the origin of the anisotropic effect of the high-energy facets. Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) achieve a favorable power conversion efficiency of 5.92% when employing CFTS thin film as a counter electrode, suggesting its potential as a cost-effective substitute for Pt in DSSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianming Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Suqin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - You Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Tuxiang Guan
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Xiaoyan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Ningzhong Bao
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 210009, China
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3
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Effect of the stacking order, annealing temperature and atmosphere on crystal phase and optical properties of Cu 2SnS 3. Sci Rep 2022; 12:7958. [PMID: 35562526 PMCID: PMC9106720 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-12045-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Cu2SnS3 (CTS) is emerging as a promising absorber for the next generation thin film solar cells (TFSC) due to its excellent optical and electronic properties, earth-abundance and eco-friendly elemental composition. In addition, CTS can be used as precursor films for the Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) synthesis. The optical properties of CTS are influenced by stoichiometry, crystalline structure, secondary phases and crystallite size. Routes for obtaining CTS films with optimized properties for TFSC are still being sought. Here, the CTS thin films synthesized by magnetron sputtering on soda lime glass (SLG) using Cu and SnS2 targets in two different stacks, were studied. The SLG\Cu\SnS2 and SLG\SnS2\Cu stacks were annealed in S and Sn + S atmospheres, at various temperatures. Both stacks show a polymorphic structure, and higher annealing temperatures favor the monoclinic CTS phase formation. Morphology is influenced by the stacking order since a SnS2 top layer generates several voids on the surface due to the evaporation of SnS, while a Cu top layer provides uniform and void-free surfaces. The films in the copper-capped stack annealed under Sn + S atmosphere have the best structural, morphological, compositional and optical properties, with tunable band gaps between 1.18 and 1.37 eV. Remarkably, secondary phases are present only in a very low percent (< 3.5%) in samples annealed at higher temperatures. This new synthesis strategy opens the way for obtaining CTS thin films for solar cell applications, that can be used also as intermediary stage for CZTS synthesis.
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4
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Singh M, Singh AK. Metastable wurtzite phase Cu2ZnSnS4 nanocrystal synthesis and application in solar cell. J SOLID STATE CHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jssc.2022.122900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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5
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Kapuria N, Patil NN, Ryan KM, Singh S. Two-dimensional copper based colloidal nanocrystals: synthesis and applications. NANOSCALE 2022; 14:2885-2914. [PMID: 35156983 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr06990j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Two-dimensional (2D) semiconductor nanocrystals display unconventional physical and opto-electronic properties due to their ultrathin and unique electronic structures. Since the success of Cd-based photoemissive nanocrystals, the development of sustainable and low-cost nanocrystals with enhanced electronic and physical properties has become a central research theme. In this context, copper-based semiconductor 2D nanocrystals, the cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative, exhibit unique plasmonic resonance, transport properties, and high ionic conductivity beneficial for sensing, energy storage, conversion, and catalytic applications. This review summarizes recent progress in the colloidal synthesis, growth mechanisms, properties, and applications of 2D copper-based nanostructures with tunable compositions, dimensions, and crystal phases. We highlight the growth mechanisms concerning their shape evolution in two dimensions. We analyse the effectiveness of cation exchange as a tool to synthesize multinary nanocrystals. Based on the preparation of Cu-based chalcogenide and non-chalcogenide compositions, we discuss synthesis control achieved via colloidal approaches to allow dimension tunability, phase engineering, and plasmonic and thermoelectric property optimization. Furthermore, their potential in various applications of catalysis, energy storage, and sensing is reviewed. Finally, we address the current challenges associated with 2D Cu-based nanocrystal development and provide an outlook pertaining to unexplored research areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilotpal Kapuria
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
| | - Niraj Nitish Patil
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
| | - Kevin M Ryan
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
| | - Shalini Singh
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
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6
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Roy A, Sundaram S, Mallick TK. Cu
2
ZnSnS
4
, a Fascinating Counter Electrode for TiO
2
‐Free Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells. ChemistrySelect 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.202004644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anurag Roy
- Environment and Sustainability Institute University of Exeter, Penryn Campus Cornwall TR10 9FE United Kingdom
| | - Senthilarasu Sundaram
- Environment and Sustainability Institute University of Exeter, Penryn Campus Cornwall TR10 9FE United Kingdom
| | - Tapas K. Mallick
- Environment and Sustainability Institute University of Exeter, Penryn Campus Cornwall TR10 9FE United Kingdom
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Wu L, Wang Q, Zhuang TT, Li Y, Zhang G, Liu GQ, Fan FJ, Shi L, Yu SH. Single crystalline quaternary sulfide nanobelts for efficient solar-to-hydrogen conversion. Nat Commun 2020; 11:5194. [PMID: 33060575 PMCID: PMC7567062 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18679-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Although solar-driven water splitting on semiconductor photocatalysts is an attractive route for hydrogen generation, there is a lack of excellent photocatalysts with high visible light activity. Due to their tunable bandgaps suitable for superior visible-light absorption, copper-based quaternary sulfides have been the important candidates. Here, we first assessed the preferred facet of wurtzite Cu-Zn-In-S for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction using the relevant Gibbs free energies determined by first principle calculation. We then developed a colloidal method to synthesize single crystalline wurtzite Cu-Zn-In-S nanobelts (NBs) exposing (0001) facet with the lowest reaction Gibbs energy, as well as Cu-Zn-Ga-S NBs exposing (0001) facet. The obtained single crystalline Cu-Zn-In-S and Cu-Zn-Ga-S NBs exhibit superior hydrogen production activities under visible-light irradiation, which is composition-dependent. Our protocol represents an alternative surface engineering approach to realize efficient solar-to-chemical conversion of single crystalline copper-based multinary chalcogenides. Quaternary sulfides are important candidates for solar-to-H2 conversion due to tunable bandgaps for controllable light absorption. Here, authors prepare single crystalline wurtzite Cu-Zn-In-S and Cu-Zn-Ga-S nanobelts with (0001) facets that show strong photocatalytic H2 production performances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Wu
- Division of Nanomaterials & Chemistry, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, China.,Institute of Energy, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, Department of Chemistry, Institute of Biomimetic Materials & Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Department of Chemical Physics, iChEM (Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials), Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Tao-Tao Zhuang
- Division of Nanomaterials & Chemistry, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, China.,Institute of Energy, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, Department of Chemistry, Institute of Biomimetic Materials & Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, China
| | - Yi Li
- Division of Nanomaterials & Chemistry, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, China.,Institute of Energy, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, Department of Chemistry, Institute of Biomimetic Materials & Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, China
| | - Guozhen Zhang
- Department of Chemical Physics, iChEM (Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials), Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Guo-Qiang Liu
- Division of Nanomaterials & Chemistry, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, China.,Institute of Energy, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, Department of Chemistry, Institute of Biomimetic Materials & Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, China
| | - Feng-Jia Fan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Microscale Magnetic Resonance and Department of Modern Physics, Synergetic Innovation Center of Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Lei Shi
- Division of Nanomaterials & Chemistry, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, China
| | - Shu-Hong Yu
- Division of Nanomaterials & Chemistry, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, China. .,Institute of Energy, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, Department of Chemistry, Institute of Biomimetic Materials & Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, China.
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8
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Ghosh A, Chaudhary DK, Mandal A, Prodhan S, Chauhan KK, Vihari S, Gupta G, Datta PK, Bhattacharyya S. Core/Shell Nanocrystal Tailored Carrier Dynamics in Hysteresisless Perovskite Solar Cells with ∼20% Efficiency and Long Operational Stability. J Phys Chem Lett 2020; 11:591-600. [PMID: 31887041 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.9b03774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The ambient stability, hysteresis, and trap states in organo-halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are correlated to the influence of interlayer interfaces and grain boundaries. Astute incorporation of Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) and Au/CZTS core/shell nanocrystals (NCs) can realize the goal of simultaneously achieving better performance and ambient stability of the PSCs. With optimized Au/CZTS NC size and concentration in the photoactive layer, power conversion efficiency can be increased up to 19.97 ± 0.6% with ambient air stability >800 h, as compared to 14.46 ± 1.02% for the unmodified devices. Through efficient carrier generation by CZTS and perovskite, accompanied by the plasmonic effect of Au, carrier density is sufficiently increased as validated by transient absorption spectroscopy. NCs facilitate the interfacial charge transfer by suitable band alignment and removal of recombination centers such as metallic Pb0, surface defects, or impurity sites. NC embedding also increases the perovskite grain size and assists in pinhole filling, reducing the trap state density.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anima Ghosh
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Centre for Advanced Functional Materials , Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata , Mohanpur 741246 , India
| | - Dhirendra K Chaudhary
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Centre for Advanced Functional Materials , Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata , Mohanpur 741246 , India
| | - Arnab Mandal
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Centre for Advanced Functional Materials , Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata , Mohanpur 741246 , India
| | - Sayan Prodhan
- Department of Physics , Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur , Kharagpur 721302 , India
| | - Kamlesh Kumar Chauhan
- Department of Physics , Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur , Kharagpur 721302 , India
| | - Saket Vihari
- Advanced Materials and Devices Division , CSIR-National Physical Laboratory, Dr. K.S. Krishnan Marg , New Delhi 110012 , India
| | - Govind Gupta
- Advanced Materials and Devices Division , CSIR-National Physical Laboratory, Dr. K.S. Krishnan Marg , New Delhi 110012 , India
| | - Prasanta Kumar Datta
- Department of Physics , Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur , Kharagpur 721302 , India
| | - Sayan Bhattacharyya
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Centre for Advanced Functional Materials , Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata , Mohanpur 741246 , India
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9
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Zhang X, Tang Y, Wang Y, Shen L, Gupta A, Bao N. Simple one-pot synthesis of Cu 4SnS 4 nanoplates and temperature-induced phase transformation mechanism. CrystEngComm 2020. [DOI: 10.1039/c9ce01772k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
A simple one-pot heat-up method has been developed to synthesize Cu4SnS4 nanoplates with highly exposed (002) surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Material-Oriented Chemical Engineering
- College of Chemical Engineering
- Nanjing Tech University
- Nanjing
- P. R. China
| | - Yu Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Material-Oriented Chemical Engineering
- College of Chemical Engineering
- Nanjing Tech University
- Nanjing
- P. R. China
| | - Yifeng Wang
- College of Materials Science and Engineering
- Nanjing Tech University
- Nanjing
- China
| | - Liming Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Material-Oriented Chemical Engineering
- College of Chemical Engineering
- Nanjing Tech University
- Nanjing
- P. R. China
| | - Arunava Gupta
- Centre for Materials for Information Technology
- The University of Alabama
- Tuscaloosa
- USA
| | - Ningzhong Bao
- State Key Laboratory of Material-Oriented Chemical Engineering
- College of Chemical Engineering
- Nanjing Tech University
- Nanjing
- P. R. China
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10
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Zhang X, Yue Y, Li W, Cui G, Wang J. N-doped mesocarbon microbeads-carbon nanotubes as high performance counter electrodes of a dye-sensitized solar cell. J Taiwan Inst Chem Eng 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtice.2018.08.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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11
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Multinary metal chalcogenides with tetrahedral structures for second-order nonlinear optical, photocatalytic, and photovoltaic applications. Coord Chem Rev 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2018.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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12
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Stroyuk O, Raevskaya A, Gaponik N. Solar light harvesting with multinary metal chalcogenide nanocrystals. Chem Soc Rev 2018; 47:5354-5422. [PMID: 29799031 DOI: 10.1039/c8cs00029h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The paper reviews the state of the art in the synthesis of multinary (ternary, quaternary and more complex) metal chalcogenide nanocrystals (NCs) and their applications as a light absorbing or an auxiliary component of light-harvesting systems. This includes solid-state and liquid-junction solar cells and photocatalytic/photoelectrochemical systems designed for the conversion of solar light into the electric current or the accumulation of solar energy in the form of products of various chemical reactions. The review discusses general aspects of the light absorption and photophysical properties of multinary metal chalcogenide NCs, the modern state of the synthetic strategies applied to produce the multinary metal chalcogenide NCs and related nanoheterostructures, and recent achievements in the metal chalcogenide NC-based solar cells and the photocatalytic/photoelectrochemical systems. The review is concluded by an outlook with a critical discussion of the most promising ways and challenging aspects of further progress in the metal chalcogenide NC-based solar photovoltaics and photochemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oleksandr Stroyuk
- L.V. Pysarzhevsky Institute of Physical Chemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 03028 Kyiv, Ukraine.
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13
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Element substitution of kesterite Cu 2ZnSnS 4 for efficient counter electrode of dye-sensitized solar cells. Sci Rep 2018; 8:8714. [PMID: 29880870 PMCID: PMC5992223 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-26770-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Development of cost-effective counter electrode (CE) materials is a key issue for practical applications of photoelectrochemical solar energy conversion. Kesterite Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) has been recognized as a potential CE material, but its electrocatalytic activity is still insufficient for the recovery of I-/I3- electrolyte in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Herein, we attempt to enhance the electrocatalytic activity of kesterite CZTS through element substitution of Zn2+ by Co2+ and Ni2+ cations, considering their high catalytic activity, as well as their similar atomic radius and electron configuration with Zn2+. The Cu2CoSnS4 (CCTS) and Cu2NiSnS4 (CNTS) CEs exhibit smaller charge-transfer resistance and reasonable power conversion efficiency (PCE) (CCTS, 8.3%; CNTS, 8.2%), comparable to that of Pt (8.3%). In contrast, the CZTS-based DSSCs only generate a PCE of 7.9%. Density functional theory calculation indicate that the enhanced catalytic performance is associated to the adsorption and desorption energy of iodine atom on the Co2+ and Ni2+. In addition, the stability of CCTS and CNTS CEs toward electrolyte is also significantly improved as evidenced by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy characterizations. These results thus suggest the effectiveness of the element substitution strategy for developing high-performance CE from the developed materials, particularly for multicomponent compounds.
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14
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Zhang X, Xu Y, Pang C, Wang Y, Shen L, Gupta A, Bao N. Insight into the crystal phase and shape evolution from monoclinic Cu1.94S to wurtzite Cu2ZnSnS4 nanocrystals. CrystEngComm 2018. [DOI: 10.1039/c8ce00048d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The Sn content greatly influences the morphology of CZTS NCs when using Cu1.94S nanoplates as starting materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Material-Oriented Chemical Engineering
- College of Chemical Engineering
- Nanjing Tech University
- Nanjing
- P. R. China
| | - You Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Material-Oriented Chemical Engineering
- College of Chemical Engineering
- Nanjing Tech University
- Nanjing
- P. R. China
| | - Chao Pang
- State Key Laboratory of Material-Oriented Chemical Engineering
- College of Chemical Engineering
- Nanjing Tech University
- Nanjing
- P. R. China
| | - Yifeng Wang
- College of Materials Science and Engineering
- Nanjing Tech University
- Nanjing
- China
| | - Liming Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Material-Oriented Chemical Engineering
- College of Chemical Engineering
- Nanjing Tech University
- Nanjing
- P. R. China
| | - Arunava Gupta
- Centre for Materials for Information Technology
- The University of Alabama
- Tuscaloosa
- USA
| | - Ningzhong Bao
- State Key Laboratory of Material-Oriented Chemical Engineering
- College of Chemical Engineering
- Nanjing Tech University
- Nanjing
- P. R. China
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