A strategy of adopted Co4S3/Co2P2O7 composite grew on carbon paper to enhance the efficient of dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract Metal phosphates have shown good hydrogen evolution reaction catalytic ability, but as counter electrode (CE) materials they are rarely used in dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). A strategy that introduction of Co2P2O7 as a “collaborator” to improve the catalytic performance of Co4S3 for the DSSC. The Co4S3/Co2P2O7 film grew on carbon paper (CP) was synthesized by using a hydrothermal route and vapor deposition method, and served as platinum-free (Pt-free) CE for DSSC. The composite materials of Co4S3/Co2P2O7 has many advantages of unique spherical morphology, large special surface area, more active sites and fast reaction kinetics for the reduction of I−/I3−. Under optimal conditions, a DSSC based on the Co4S3/Co2P2O7/CP CE achieves a high power conversion efficiency of 8.99%, which is comparable to that of the Pt (7.49%) and CoS1.097/CP (8.18%) CEs. The results indicate that the Co4S3/Co2P2O7/CP CE with the advantages of efficient and facile synthesis is a promising alternative to the expensive Pt CE for the DSSCs in the future.