Design and Fabrication of Pt Free FeNi2S4/rGO  Hybrid Composite Thin Films Counter Electrode for High Performance Dye Sensitized Solar Cells 

Abstract

In this report, for the first time synthesized FeNi2S4/rGO composite as Pt free counter electrode (CE) by facile hydrothermal method without employing template or surfactant. Complete investigations of phase evolutions by XRD patterns and TEM indicate that spinel structure with nanosheets and nanospherical morphologies. The individual spherical shaped nanoparticles (30-35 nm) of FeNi2S4 were exploited on the 2D ultrathin rGO nanosheets surface. This is useful for the provision of further electrolyte adsorptions and responsive electrocatalytic sites. The DSSC constructed with FeNi2S4/rGO hybrid composite CE showed a conversion efficiency of 9.98%, better than that by FeNi2S4 CE (4.87%) and also commercial Pt (6.21%). The outstanding efficiency of the FeNi2S4/rGO hybrid composite CE even better than commercial Pt is effective alternative to Pt CE in the DSSCs.