Electrospun carbon nanofibers decorated with Pt-Ni2P nanoparticles as high efficiency counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract Carbon nanofibers (CNs) supported by Pt and Ni 2 P nanoparticles (Pt-Ni 2 P/CNs) are successfully synthesized and explored as counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) for the first time. Pt and Ni 2 P nanoparticles are prepared by stabilization and carbonization of electrospun nanofibers, and subsequently controllable Pt and Ni 2 P nanoparticles are grown on surface of CNs obtained through redox reaction. A series of electrochemical measurements analysis confirm that the Pt-Ni 2 P/CNs composite have simultaneously superior electrocatalytic activity and enhanced electrical conductivity compared with those of individual CNs and Pt. Accordingly, DSSCs using the composite Pt-Ni 2 P/CNs as a counter electrode exhibit an excellent photovoltaic performance (power conversion efficiency of 9.11%), which is much higher than conventional Pt/CNs counter electrode (power conversion efficiency of 8.35%), owing to the collective effect of the high electrical conductivity originated from carbon nanofibers and superior electrocatalytic activity arising from Pt/CNs nanoparticles.