Highly efficient dye-sensitized solar cell with a novel nanohybrid film of Cu2ZnSnS4-MWCNTs as counter electrode

For the purpose of increasing the power conversion efficiency (PCE) meanwhile decreasing the cost of dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC), Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 - multiwall carbon nanotubes (CZTS-MWCNTs) nanohybrid Pt-free counter electrode (CE) was prepared via a facile fabricating route. In brief, CZTS nanoparticles were synthesized by a solvothermal method and the composite film was fabricated by spin coating the aqueous solution of the composite. The short-circuit current density and PCE of the DSSC with CZTS-MWCNTs CE were found to be 16.62   mA   cm −2 and 9.04%, respectively. But the corresponding values were 15.42   mA   cm −2 and 8.74% for a DSSC with a pure Pt-CE. This is owing to the synergistic effect of the intrinsic superior electrocatalytic activity of the CZTS nanoparticles and highly specific surface area and high electrical conductivity of the MWCNTs . The presence and distribution of CZTS-MWCNTs on the CE were characterized by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscope (SEM), respectively. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS) were examined for confirming the high electrocatalytic efficiency of this nanohybrid system.