Ball/dumbbell-like structured micrometer-sized Sb₂S₃ particles as a scattering layer in dye-sensitized solar cells

High Performance of 3D Symmetric Flowerlike Sb2 S3 Nanostructures in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

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.