Synthesis of copper sulfide/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites for use as the counter electrodes of high-performance CdS-sensitized solar cells

Amr Hessein; Ahmed Abd El-Moneim

doi:10.1016/S1872-5805(18)60324-5

Volume 33 Issue 1

Turn off MathJax

Article Contents

Article Navigation > New Carbon Mater. > 2018 > 33(1): 26-35

Amr Hessein, Ahmed Abd El-Moneim. Synthesis of copper sulfide/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites for use as the counter electrodes of high-performance CdS-sensitized solar cells. New Carbon Mater., 2018, 33(1): 26-35. doi: 10.1016/S1872-5805(18)60324-5

Citation:

Amr Hessein, Ahmed Abd El-Moneim. Synthesis of copper sulfide/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites for use as the counter electrodes of high-performance CdS-sensitized solar cells. New Carbon Mater., 2018, 33(1): 26-35. doi: 10.1016/S1872-5805(18)60324-5

Citation:

Amr Hessein, Ahmed Abd El-Moneim. Synthesis of copper sulfide/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites for use as the counter electrodes of high-performance CdS-sensitized solar cells. New Carbon Mater., 2018, 33(1): 26-35. doi: 10.1016/S1872-5805(18)60324-5

PDF( 2140 KB)

Synthesis of copper sulfide/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites for use as the counter electrodes of high-performance CdS-sensitized solar cells

doi: 10.1016/S1872-5805(18)60324-5

Amr Hessein^{1,2
,},
Ahmed Abd El-Moneim¹

1.
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology, New Borg El Arab City, Alexandria 21934, Egypt;
2.
Department of Mathematical and Physical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering(Shoubra), Benha University, Cairo, Egypt

Received Date: 2017-09-08
Accepted Date: 2018-02-11
Rev Recd Date: 2017-12-15
Publish Date: 2018-02-28

Abstract

Abstract

Copper sulfide (Cu_xS)/reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanocomposites were prepared by a one-pot hydrothermal method with various contents of GO in the initial precursor. The nanocomposites were first blended with a polyvinylidene fluoride binder, then coated onto SnO_x^2-F_x substrates,which were used as the counter electrodes (CEs) of quantum dot solar cells (QDSCs) using a CdS-sensitized TiO₂ as a photoanode. The microstructure and performance of the CEs were characterized by FE-SEM, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Results show that the Cu_xS/RGO CEs are superior to the conventional Cu₂S/brass CE. The stoichiometry and morphology of the Cu_xS nanocrystals are significantly influenced by the initial GO content in the precursor. A Cu_xS/RGO nanocomposite with more active sites for effective S_x^2- ion reduction in a polysulfide electrolyte (S^2-/S_x^2-) is optimally obtained at a medium GO content in the precursor. The QDSC assembled with the optimized Cu_xS/RGO CE exhibits a reproducible high and stable power conversion efficiency of 2.36% under an illumination intensity of 100 mW/cm², which is higher than the value (1.57%) of the cell with the Cu₂S/brass CE. The improved performance is attributed to the synergistic effect between the Cu_xS nanocrystals and conductive RGO in the Cu_xS/RGO CE, where RGO acts as both a co-catalyst to accelerate the polysulfide reduction and a conductivity promoter to decrease the series resistance of the CE.
- Reduced graphene oxide,
- Copper sulfides,
- QDSSCs,
- Polysulfide electrolyte

FullText(HTML)

References(33)

References

A Badawi. Tuning the energy band gap of ternary alloyed Cd_1-xPb_xS quantum dots for photovoltaic applications[J]. Superlattices Microstruct, 2016, 90:124-131.

A Badawi, N Al-Hosiny, S Abdallah. The photovoltaic performance of CdS quantum dots sensitized solar cell using graphene/TiO₂ working electrode[J]. Superlattices Microstruct, 2015, 81:88-96.

A Tubtimtae, T Hongto, K Hongsith, et al. Tailoring of boron-doped MnTe semiconductor-sensitized TiO₂ photoelectrodes as near-infrared solar cell devices[J]. Superlattices Microstruct, 2014, 66:96-104.

M Raja, N Muthukumarasamy, D Velauthapillai, et al. Enhanced photovoltaic performance of quantum dot-sensitized solar cell fabricated using Al-doped ZnO nanorod electrode[J]. Superlattices Microstruct, 2015, 80:53-62.

D M Li, L Y Cheng, Y D Zhang, et al. Development of Cu₂S/carbon composite electrode for CdS/CdSe quantum dot sensitized solar cell modules[J]. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells, 2014, 120:454-461.

I Hwang, K Yong. Counter electrodes for quantum-dot-sensitized solar cells[J]. Chem Electro Chem, 2015, 2(5):634-653.

J G Radich, R Dwyer, P V Kamat. Cu₂S reduced graphene oxide composite for high-efficiency quantum dot solar cells. Overcoming the redox limitations of S^2-/S_n^2- at the counter electrode[J]. J Phys Chem Lett, 2011, 2(19):2453-2460.

K Meng, G Chen, K R Thampi. Metal chalcogenides as counter electrode materials in quantum dot sensitized solar cells:a perspective[J]. J Mater Chem A, 2015, 3:23074-23089.

H Zhang, H Bao, X Zhong. Highly efficient, stable and reproducible CdSe-sensitized solar cells using copper sulfide as counter electrodes[J]. J Mater Chem A, 2015, 3(12):6557-6564.

H Salaramoli, E Maleki, Z Shariatinia, et al. CdS/CdSe quantum dots co-sensitized solar cells with Cu₂S counter electrode prepared by SILAR, spray pyrolysis and Zn-Cu alloy methods[J]. J Photochem Photobiol A Chem, 2013, 271:56-64.

C Venkata Thulasi-Varma, S S Rao, C S S P Kumar, et al. Enhanced photovoltaic performance and time varied controllable growth of a CuS nanoplatelet structured thin film and its application as an efficient counter electrode for quantum dot-sensitized solar cells via a cost-effective chemical bath deposition[J]. Dalt Trans, 2015, 44:19330-19343.

D Punnoose, H-J Kim, S Srinivasa Rao, et al. Cobalt sulfide counter electrode using hydrothermal method for quantum dot-sensitized solar cells[J]. J Electroanal Chem, 2015, 750:19-26.

V H Vinh Quy, J H Kim, S H Kang, et al. Enhanced electrocatalytic activity of electrodeposited F-doped SnO₂/Cu₂S electrodes for quantum dot-sensitized solar cells[J]. J Power Sources, 2016, 316:52-59.

J H Zeng, D Chen, Y F Wang, et al. Graphite powder film-supported Cu₂S counter electrodes for quantum dot sensitized solar cells[J]. J Mater Chem C, 2015, 3:12140-12148.

S Hassan, M Suzuki, A A El-Moneim. Facile synthesis of MnO₂/graphene electrode by two-steps electrodeposition for energy storage application[J]. Int J Electrochem Sci, 2014, 9(12):8340-8354.

E Ghoniem, S Mori, A Abdel-Moniem. Low-cost flexible supercapacitors based on laser reduced graphene oxide supported on polyethylene terephthalate substrate[J]. J Power Sources, 2016, 324:272-281.

A Hessein, F Wang, H Masai, et al. One-step fabrication of copper sulfide nanoparticles decorated on graphene sheets as highly stable and efficient counter electrode for CdS-sensitized solar cells[J]. Jpn J Appl Phys, 2016, 55(11):112301.

B Zheng, C Gao. Preparation of graphene nanoscroll/polyaniline composites and their use in high performance supercapacitors[J]. New Carbon Mater ials, 2016:31(3):315-320.

C Xu, R Yuan, X Wang. Selective reduction of graphene oxide[J]. New Carbon Mater ials, 2014, 29(1):61-66.

L Liu, K P Annamalai, Y Tao. A hierarchically porous CuCo₂S₄/graphene composite as an electrode material for supercapacitors[J]. New Carbon Mater ials, 2016, 31(3):336-342.

H Zhang, H Bao, X Zhong. Highly efficient, stable and reproducible CdSe-sensitized solar cells using copper sulfide as counter electrodes[J]. J Mater Chem A, 2015, 3(12):6557-6564.

I Barceló, J M Campiña, T Lana-Villarreal, et al. A solid-state CdSe quantum dot sensitized solar cell based on a quaterthiophene as a hole transporting material[J]. Phys Chem Chem Phys, 2012, 14(16):5801-5807.

X Wang, J Tian, C Fei, et al. Rapid construction of TiO₂ aggregates using microwave assisted synthesis and its application for dye-sensitized solar cells[J]. RSC Adv, 2015, 5(12):8622-8629.

G Wang, J Zhang, S Kuang, et al. The production of cobalt sulfide/graphene composite for use as a low-cost counter-electrode material in dye-sensitized solar cells[J]. J Power Sources, 2014, 269:473-478.

C S Kim, S H Choi, J H Bang. New insight into copper sulfide electrocatalysts for quantum dot-sensitized solar cells:Composition-dependent electrocatalytic activity and stability[J]. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces, 2014, 6(24):22078-22087.

M Najdoskia, I Grozdanova, C J Chunnilallb. Raman spectra of thin solid films of some metal sulfides[J]. J Mdecular structure, 1997, 410:267-270.

A G Milekhin, N A Yeryukov, L L Sveshnikova, et al. Combination of surface-and interference-enhanced Raman scattering by CuS nanocrystals on nanopatterned Au structures[J]. Beilstein J Nanotechnol, 2015, 6(1):749-754.

Z Li, F Gong, G Zhou, et al. NiS₂/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites for effi cient dye-sensitized solar cells[J]. J Phys Chem C, 2013, 117(13):6561-6566.

C V V M Gopi, S Srinivasa Rao, S K Kim, et al. Highly effective nickel sulfide counter electrode catalyst prepared by optimal hydrothermal treatment for quantum dot-sensitized solar cells[J]. J Power Sources, 2015, 275:547-556.

K Zhao, Z Pan, I Mora-Seró, et al. Boosting power conversion efficiencies of quantum-dot-sensitized solar cells beyond 8% by recombination control[J]. J Am Chem Soc, 2015, 137(16):5602-5609.

P V Kamat. Quantum Dot Solar Cells. Semiconductor nanocrystals as light harvesters[J]. J Phys Chem C, 2008, 112(48):18737-18753.

Y Jiang, X Zhang, Q-Q Ge, et al. Engineering the interfaces of ITO@Cu₂S nanowire arrays toward efficient and stable counter electrodes for quantum-dot-sensitized solar cells[J]. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces, 2014, 6(17):15448-15455.

H Geng, L Zhu, W Li, et al. Electrochemical growth of FeS on three-dimensional carbon scaffold as the high catalytic and stable counter electrode for quantum dot-sensitized solar cells[J]. Electrochim Acta, 2015, 182:1093-1100.

Relative Articles

Supplements(0)

Cited By

Proportional views