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One‐Step Synthesis of a MoS 2 −CuS Composite with High Electrochemical Activity as an Effective Counter Electrode for CdS/CdSe Sensitized Solar Cells
Author(s) -
Kamaja Chaitanya Krishna,
Devarapalli Rami Reddy,
Shelke Manjusha V.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
chemelectrochem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.182
H-Index - 59
ISSN - 2196-0216
DOI - 10.1002/celc.201700231
Subject(s) - tafel equation , auxiliary electrode , materials science , electrolyte , dielectric spectroscopy , polysulfide , composite number , electrode , electrochemistry , polarization (electrochemistry) , chemical engineering , dye sensitized solar cell , inorganic chemistry , nanotechnology , chemistry , composite material , engineering
Inorganic nanostructured composite materials involving metal sulfides are increasingly important in electrochemical applications like solar cells. In this research, we have developed a one‐step in situ solvothermal method to synthesize a MoS 2 −CuS composite. MoS 2 sheets increase electron‐transfer ability, assisting the improvement in catalytic activity of the MoS 2 −CuS counter electrode. The charge‐transfer resistance derived from impedance spectroscopy for the MoS 2 −CuS composite counter electrode at the electrode/electrolyte interface is very low, as compared to MoS 2 , mostly owing to the increased number of active catalytic sites for the reduction of polysulfide electrolyte. The Tafel polarization plot shows excellent electrocatalytic activity of the MoS 2 −CuS composite towards polysulfide electrolyte. Finally, the CdS/CdSe sensitized solar cell achieves a power conversion efficiency of about 5 % upon optimization of the MoS 2 −CuS composition.