journal article·2020-08

One-pot fabrication of mesoporous g-C3N4/NiS co-catalyst counter electrodes for quantum-dot-sensitized solar cells

Wenhua Li, Qianqiao Chen, Qin Zhong

Journal of Materials Science· Volume 55· Issue 24
Publisher page

Abstract

The nickel sulfide (NiS) nanoparticles were anchored on the mesoporous graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) by one-pot calcination with sulfur powder as sulfur source and pore-forming agent. It is the first attempt to use the g-C3N4/NiS as a counter electrode (CE) for quantum-dot-sensitized solar cells. The g-C3N4/NiS co-catalyst based on 0.74 wt% NiS loading for Sn2− reduction obtained a low interface charge transfer resistance (Rct) of 1.08 Ω. The power conversion efficiency of the QDSSC assembled with ZnSe/CdS/CdSe/ZnSe-sensitized TiO2 photoanode and g-C3N4/NiS CE is up to 5.64%, which is 3.05 times as high as that of pure g-C3N4 CE. The enhancement of cell efficiency is attributed to the synergistic effects of excellent morphology of g-C3N4 and its co-catalysis with NiS nanoparticles. The mesoporous architecture contributes a large specific surface area and fast electrolyte transfer channels, and the coupling of g-C3N4 with NiS promotes the transfer of charge between the interface g-C3N4/NiS and electrolytes. The presented strategy for fabricating mesoporous architecture with g-C3N4/NiS uses low-cost raw materials and a simple preparation method, which provides a feasible route to enhance the electrocatalytic activity of g-C3N4.
Source: openaire · Quality: candidate unverified · Source record ↗

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques · Advanced Nanomaterials in Catalysis · TiO2 Photocatalysis and Solar Cells

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

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