Cost effective synthesis Co9S8/Ni9S8 loaded on nitrogen doped porous carbons high efficiency counter electrode materials for liquid thin film solar cells

Synthesis of non-precious metal materials with cost-effective and excellent electrocatalytic activity as counter electrode (CE) of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) remains a challenge. Herein, MOF-based self-sustaining template and ion exchange method are developed to fabricate Co 9 S 8 and Ni 9 S 8 loaded on N-doped porous carbon nanocage materials (Co 9 S 8 /Ni 9 S 8 @C-N) with large specific surface area and remarkable catalytic activities to the reduction of I 3 − ions. The excellent performance of Co 9 S 8 /Ni 9 S 8 @C-N is owing to the synergistic effect of Ni 9 S 8 and Co 9 S 8 can further improve the catalytic activity and N-doped porous carbon nanocage as a good conductor provides a suitable place for the redox reaction and guarantees the stability of the material. As a CE catalytic material, Co 9 S 8 /Ni 9 S 8 @C-N reveals excellent catalytic activity and stability, making the photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) 17.54% higher than Pt CE. The Co 9 S 8 /Ni 9 S 8 @C-N composite material reveals the remarkable potential as a CE in the DSSCs.