Vertically aligned Ni3Se2 arrays with dendritic-like structure as efficient counter electrode of dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract Fabrication of low-cost counter electrodes with high electrocatalytic performance is one of the most important challenges for dye-sensitized solar cells. Vertically aligned Ni 3 Se 2 arrays with dendritic-like structure have been synthesized by a simple solvothermal method in this paper. Due to direct electron transfer and more catalytic active sites, Ni 3 Se 2 arrays can be used as counter electrodes of dye-sensitized solar cells. The dye-sensitized solar cell based on Ni 3 Se 2 array counter electrode shows a high photovoltaic performance with a high photoelectrical conversion efficiency of 4.62%, which is comparable with that of the dye-sensitized solar cell based on platinum counter electrode. To understand the chemical catalysis toward I 3 - reduction and interfacial charge transfer, the Ni 3 Se 2 array counter electrode has been quantitatively investigated by the electrochemical measurements. The results indicate that the Ni 3 Se 2 array counter electrode exhibits good catalytic activity and direct electron transfer for the reduction of I 3 - . Our research work will provide insight into the design and fabrication of counter electrode materials with high electrocatalytic performance for dye-sensitized solar cells.