CoS Supersedes Pt as Efficient Electrocatalyst for Triiodide Reduction in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

摘要

In the past decade, nanocrystalline dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) have attracted considerable interest in scientific research and industrial applications as a new class of low-cost solar cells. Recent achievements in the long term stability under thermal and light-soaking stress have further enhanced the commercial prospects of DSCs. The counter electrode (CE) is an important component in DSCs. Fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) glass loaded with noble metal platinum is commonly used as the CE, Pt exhibiting high electrocatalytic activity for triiodide reduction. In view of the low abundance and high cost of platinum, several previous reports described Pt-free CEs for the DSC, including graphite and carbon black, carbon nanotubes, and conducting polymers. However, the device efficiencies have remained below 5% with nonvolatile electrolytes, and no long-term stability data have been reported.