Abstract
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) supported by Ni2P nanoparticles are prepared and used as a counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) for the first time. The CNTs-Ni2P composite was prepared by the heat treatment of a mixed precursor including nickel chloride, sodium hypophosphite and CNTs in argon atmosphere. The X-Ray diffraction (XRD) results indicate that the as-prepared sample consists of hexagonal Ni2P and carbon nanotubes. No peaks of other nickel phosphides are observed in the XRD pattern. Microstructure of the Ni2P-CNTs composite was investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It is shown that the Ni2P nanoparticles with a size of about 10 nm are dispersed on the surface of CNTs. In addition, electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS) and photovoltaic conversion performance of counter electrodes for DSSCs are analyzed in detail. It is demonstrated that the Ni2P-CNTs composite presents an obviously low charge-transfer resistance and diffusion impedance as compared with those of individual CNTs and Ni2P. Accordingly, the DSSCs using the composite as a counter electrode have a comparable photovoltaic performance as compared with the conventional FTO/Pt counter electrode, due to the effective combination of the high electrical conductivity of carbon nanotubes and superior electrocatalytic activity of Ni2P nanoparticles.
Graphical Abstract
Keywords
dye-sensitized solar cells, counter electrode, photoelectric performance, nickel phosphide, carbon nanotubes
Publication Date
2012-08-28
Online Available Date
2012-02-21
Revised Date
2012-02-16
Received Date
2011-11-24
Recommended Citation
Yan-Ye DOU, Nan-Fu YAN, Guo-Ran LI, Xue-Ping GAO.
Carbon Nanotubes with Ni2P Nanoparticles as a Counter Electrode in Dye-sensitized Solar Cells[J]. Journal of Electrochemistry,
2012
,
18(4): Article 3.
DOI: 10.61558/2993-074X.2920
Available at:
https://jelectrochem.xmu.edu.cn/journal/vol18/iss4/3
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