NiS₂/Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites\nfor Efficient Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract

NiS₂ nanoparticles and nanocomposites of NiS₂ with\nreduced graphene oxide (NiS₂@RGO) have been successfully\nprepared via a facile hydrothermal reaction of nickel ions and sulfur\nsource in the absence or presence of graphene oxide. NiS₂@RGO nanocomposites exhibit excellent electrocatalytic performance\nfor reduction of triiodide, owing to the improved conductivity and\npositive synergetic effect between NiS₂ and RGO. As a consequence,\nthe dye-sensitized solar cell with the NiS₂@RGO counter\nelectrode (CE) produces a power conversion efficiency of 8.55%, which\nis higher than that (7.02%) for the DSSC with the NiS₂ CE,\nhigher than that (3.14%) for the DSSC with the RGO CE, and also higher\nthan that (8.15%) for the DSSC with the reference Pt CE under the\nsame conditions.