Effect of Molybdenum Disulfide on the Performance of Polyaniline Based Counter Electrode for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Applications

Usman Ghafoor, Anas Bin Aqeel, Uzair Khaleeq uz Zaman, Taiba Zahid, Muhammad Noman and Muhammad Shakeel Ahmad
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Usman Ghafoor: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Space Technology, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
Anas Bin Aqeel: Department of Mechatronics Engineering, College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
Uzair Khaleeq uz Zaman: Department of Mechatronics Engineering, College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
Taiba Zahid: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Capital University of Science and Technology, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
Muhammad Noman: US—Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Energy, University of Engineering & Technology, Peshawar 25000, Pakistan
Muhammad Shakeel Ahmad: Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), UM Power Energy Dedicated Advanced Centre (UMPEDAC), Level 4, Wisma R&D, University of Malaya, Jalan Pantai Baharu, Kuala Lumpur 59990, Malaysia

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 13, 1-9

Abstract: Dye-sensitized solar cells are gaining interest in the aerospace industry, extending their applications from solar-powered drones to origami-style space-based solar power stations due to their flexibility, light weightiness, and transparency. The major issue with its widespread commercial use is the employment of expensive Pt-based counter electrodes. In this study, an attempt has been made to replace the Pt with Polyaniline (PANI)/Molybdenum sulfide (MoS 2 ) nanocomposite. The nanocomposites i.e., PANI-0.5wt% MoS 2 , PANI-2wt%MoS 2 , PANI-5wt%MoS 2 , and PANI-7wt%MoS 2 and PANI-9wt%MoS 2 , have been synthesized and compared with standard Pt-based CE. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction methods have been utilized to study both surface morphology and structural composition. Fourier transform infrared has also been used to identify redox-active functionalities. Electron impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry have been employed to study electron transfer and catalytic activity. Finally, I-V testing has been conducted using a sun simulator. A maximum efficiency of 8.12% has been observed with 7wt% MoS 2 in the PANI matrix at 6 µm thickness, which is 2.65% higher compared to standard Pt-based CE (7.91%). This is due to high electronic conduction with the addition of MoS 2 , improved catalytic activity, and the high surface area of the PANI nano-rods.

Keywords: polyaniline; dye-sensitized solar cell; counter electrode; molybdenum disulfide; catalyst (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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