Strategic design of self-generated Ni-N-C hybrid sites in 3D network structures as counter electrodes in photovoltaics

Genhui Teng; Baorui Liu; Zhe Kang; Yanhui Xie; Dongying Hu; Dawei Zhao

Resources Chemicals and Materials (Mar 2023)

Strategic design of self-generated Ni-N-C hybrid sites in 3D network structures as counter electrodes in photovoltaics

Genhui Teng,
Baorui Liu,
Zhe Kang,
Yanhui Xie,
Dongying Hu,
Dawei Zhao

Affiliations

Genhui Teng: School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China; MOE Key Laboratory of New Processing Technology for Non-ferrous Metals and Materials & Guangxi Key Laboratory of Processing for Non-ferrous Metals and Featured Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
Baorui Liu: School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China; MOE Key Laboratory of New Processing Technology for Non-ferrous Metals and Materials & Guangxi Key Laboratory of Processing for Non-ferrous Metals and Featured Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
Zhe Kang: School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China; MOE Key Laboratory of New Processing Technology for Non-ferrous Metals and Materials & Guangxi Key Laboratory of Processing for Non-ferrous Metals and Featured Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
Yanhui Xie: School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China; MOE Key Laboratory of New Processing Technology for Non-ferrous Metals and Materials & Guangxi Key Laboratory of Processing for Non-ferrous Metals and Featured Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
Dongying Hu: School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China; MOE Key Laboratory of New Processing Technology for Non-ferrous Metals and Materials & Guangxi Key Laboratory of Processing for Non-ferrous Metals and Featured Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; Corresponding author at: Dongying Hu School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China.
Dawei Zhao: Key Laboratory on Resources Chemicals and Materials of Ministry of Education, Shenyang University of Chemical Technology, Shenyang 110142, P. R. China

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 2, no. 1
pp. 1 – 10

Abstract

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The technical bottleneck of carbon materials as counter electrodes (CEs) lies in their limited electrical conductivity, extended ion diffusion paths, poor dispersion, and high contact resistance. Problem-oriented in-situ self-grown N-doped CNTs-coated Ni nanoparticles based on N-doped carbonaceous structures derived from pitaya peel (PC) are adopted to construct Ni-N-C hybrid 3D ionized network sites (Ni@NCNTs/PC-4) as CEs. Structural characterization, micromorphological and chemical composition analyses revealed the 3D network structure of Ni@NCNTs/PC-4 with abundant active sites. They effectively shorten the diffusion distance of I3− ions with a smaller charge transfer resistance (5.21 Ω) than that of PC (12.53 Ω). DSSCs based on Ni@NCNTs/PC-4 display good optoelectronic properties, in which the short-circuit current density (Jsc) is 13.27 mA/cm2, higher than those of Pt (11.66 mA/cm2) and PC (6.99 mA/cm2). The PCE value (5.13%) of DSSCs based on Ni@NCNTs/PC-4 is also higher than that of DSSCs based on PC (2.47%). Overall, this work provides a preliminary research and new ideas for further in-depth study of biomass-derived 3D structured-carbons that contribute to key electrodes in DSSCs.

Published in Resources Chemicals and Materials

ISSN: 2772-4433 (Online)
Publisher: KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.
Country of publisher: China
LCC subjects: Technology: Chemical technology
Website: https://www.keaipublishing.com/en/journals/resources-chemicals-and-materials/

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