High-performance electrocatalytic and cationic substitution in Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 as a low-cost counter electrode for Pt-free
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High-performance electrocatalytic and cationic substitution in Cu2ZnSnS4 as a low-cost counter electrode for Pt-free dye-sensitized solar cells P. Baskaran1, K. D. Nisha1,*, S. Harish1,3, S. Prabakaran1, M. Navaneethan1,4,* J. Archana1, S. Ponnusamy1, C. Muthamizhchelvan1, and H. Ikeda2,3
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1
Functional Materials and Energy Devices Laboratory, Department of Physics and Nanotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur 603 203, India 2 Research Institute of Electronics, Shizuoka University, 3-5-1 Johoku, Naka-Ku, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 432-8011, Japan 3 Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 3-5-1 Johoku, Naka-Ku, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 432-8011, Japan 4 Nanotechnology Research Centre, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur 603 203, India
Received: 11 July 2020
ABSTRACT
Accepted: 3 October 2020
Herein, we report the synthesis of quaternary chalcopyrite sulfide semiconductors Cu2MSnS4 (M = Zn, Ni, Co, Mn, Fe) by a hydrothermal process. The formation of kesterite structure was confirmed by XRD. XPS analysis confirmed the composition of Cu–(Zn, Ni, Co, Mn, Fe)–Sn–S. Morphologies of the hierarchical structures were characterized. Hall measurements revealed that the Zn was replaced with Ni which exhibited higher carrier density and lower resistivity. Cyclic voltammetry measurements showed peak-to-peak separation (Epp) value of Cu2NiSnS4 about 268 mV, which was smaller than that of Cu2ZnSnS4, and a higher cathodic current density (Ic) of 0.000334 mA cm-2 compared to those of Pt. This indicated that the electrocatalytic activity of Cu2NiSnS4 was better for the I-/I3 redox reaction, with a long-term stability for 250 cycles.
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Introduction Among solar cells, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) most closely mimic natural photosynthesis. They are best suited for indoor applications as they boast superior low light performance. Research on DSSC
technology is soaring due to its availability, low toxicity, and increased long-term stability of the materials. Efficiency enhancement is accomplished by modifying the composition/morphology of the major components of DSSC, such as the photoanode and counter electrode (CE) materials, surface treatments [1–4], and loading with different dyes [5, 6].
Handling Editor: Yaroslava Yingling.
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https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-020-05421-9
J Mater Sci
The counter electrode performs two significant activities: regeneration of I-/I3 redox couples in the electrolyte and electron collection from the external circuit. To serve as CEs, materials should have high electrical conductivity and good catalytic activity [7, 8]. Researchers attempting to replace the platinum (Pt) catalyst with less expensive ones have proposed inorganic compounds such as transition metal oxides, nitrides, sulfides [9–11], conducting polymers [12, 13], and carbonaceous mate
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