Carbon Nanotubes with Ni₂P Nanoparticles as a Counter Electrode in Dye-sensitized Solar Cells

Authors

Yan-Ye DOU
Nan-Fu YAN
Guo-Ran LI
Xue-Ping GAO

Corresponding Author

Xue-Ping GAO(xpgao@nankai.edu.cn)

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

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.61558/2993-074X.2920

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