Novel cost-effective and electrocatalytically active intermetallic nickel aluminide counter electrode for dye sensitized solar cells

The very high cost, scarcity and dissolubility of platinum (Pt) is the center of debates as a counter electrode (CE) in dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) research domain. To deal with such core issues, herein, novel low-cost and electro-catalytically active inter-metallic nickel aluminide (Ni 3 Al) thin films have been fabricated successfully on fluorine-doped tin oxide substrates by DC magnetron sputtering at room temperature. For the first time, Ni 3 Al has been utilized as a CE for DSSCs application. Further, the solar cell performance of Ni 3 Al based DSSC has compared with the sputtered coated Pt thin film based DSSC performance. Under open atmospheric experimental preparation conditions (in air), a maximum power conversion efficiency of 3% has been achieved with Ni 3 Al CE. The obtained efficiency is quite analogous to a DSSC fabricated with a Pt CE. Further, as-fabricated Ni 3 Al CEs have exhibited better electrochemical catalytic activity and anti-corrosion effect than that of sputtered Pt CEs. The low-cost and excellent electrocatalytic properties of intermetallic Ni 3 Al thin films may pave the way towards development of Pt-free CE for DSSCs.