Platinum-free metal sulfide counter electrodes for DSSC applications: Structural, electrochemical and power conversion efficiency analyses

Micro/Nanoscale binary (CoS, NiS, and ZnS) and ternary (CoNi2S4 and Zn0.76Co0.24S) metal sulfides were directly grown on FTO substrates by a novel one step hydrothermal method for low-cost DSSC counter electrode applications. XRD study confirms phase pure formation of CoS, NiS, ZnS, CoNi2S4 and Zn0.76Co0.24S. HRSEM images of CoS, NiS and CoNi2S4 films exhibits hierarchical flower, hexagonal microcage and flake like particulates respectively. The...