Electrospun carbon nanofibers decorated with NiS2-FeS2 used as efficient counter electrode for quantum dot sensitized solar cells

NiS 2 -FeS 2 composite material is uniformly coated on CNFs by a one-step hydrothermal method with carbon nanofibers (CNFs) prepared by the electrostatic spinning method. A composite NiS 2 -FeS 2 /CNFs with Ti-mesh substrate counter electrode (NiS 2 -FeS 2 /CNFs CE) is prepared by scraping and coating method on a metal titanium mesh and applied to quantum dot sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs). The photoelectric power conversion efficiency of QDSSCs assembled on NiS 2 -FeS 2 /CNFs electrode substrate is 9.85%, which is much higher than that of traditional Cu 2 S/brass (7.85%). The exceptional achievement can be attributed to the superb amalgamation of the Ti-mesh's excellent electrical conductivity and the NiS 2 -FeS 2 /CNFs nanostructure's high and stable catalytic activity. The co-loading of NiS 2 and FeS 2 reduces the particle size of the composite, enhancing the specific surface area of the counter electrode. It provides abundant catalytic active sites for QDSSCs. The experimental results show that NiS 2 -FeS 2 is expected to be a competitive and efficient QDSSCs CE material.