Effect of Molybdenum Disulfide on the Performance of Polyaniline Based Counter Electrode for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Applications
Dye-sensitized solar cells are gaining interest in the aerospace industry, extending their applications from solar-powered drones to origami-style space-based solar power stations due to their flexibility, light weightiness, and transparency. The major issue with its widespread commercial use is the...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2021-06-01
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| Series: | Energies |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/13/3786 |
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| author | Usman Ghafoor Anas Bin Aqeel Uzair Khaleeq uz Zaman Taiba Zahid Muhammad Noman Muhammad Shakeel Ahmad |
| author_facet | Usman Ghafoor Anas Bin Aqeel Uzair Khaleeq uz Zaman Taiba Zahid Muhammad Noman Muhammad Shakeel Ahmad |
| author_sort | Usman Ghafoor |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Dye-sensitized solar cells are gaining interest in the aerospace industry, extending their applications from solar-powered drones to origami-style space-based solar power stations due to their flexibility, light weightiness, and transparency. The major issue with its widespread commercial use is the employment of expensive Pt-based counter electrodes. In this study, an attempt has been made to replace the Pt with Polyaniline (PANI)/Molybdenum sulfide (MoS<sub>2</sub>) nanocomposite. The nanocomposites i.e., PANI-0.5wt% MoS<sub>2</sub>, PANI-2wt%MoS<sub>2</sub>, PANI-5wt%MoS<sub>2</sub>, and PANI-7wt%MoS<sub>2</sub>and PANI-9wt%MoS<sub>2</sub>, have been synthesized and compared with standard Pt-based CE. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction methods have been utilized to study both surface morphology and structural composition. Fourier transform infrared has also been used to identify redox-active functionalities. Electron impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry have been employed to study electron transfer and catalytic activity. Finally, I-V testing has been conducted using a sun simulator. A maximum efficiency of 8.12% has been observed with 7wt% MoS<sub>2</sub> in the PANI matrix at 6 µm thickness, which is 2.65% higher compared to standard Pt-based CE (7.91%). This is due to high electronic conduction with the addition of MoS<sub>2</sub>, improved catalytic activity, and the high surface area of the PANI nano-rods. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T10:06:45Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a214646b31e94a7ba7e6cd47468e2b77 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T10:06:45Z |
| publishDate | 2021-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj.art-a214646b31e94a7ba7e6cd47468e2b772023-11-22T01:28:59ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732021-06-011413378610.3390/en14133786Effect of Molybdenum Disulfide on the Performance of Polyaniline Based Counter Electrode for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell ApplicationsUsman Ghafoor0Anas Bin Aqeel1Uzair Khaleeq uz Zaman2Taiba Zahid3Muhammad Noman4Muhammad Shakeel Ahmad5Department of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Space Technology, Islamabad 44000, PakistanDepartment of Mechatronics Engineering, College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad 44000, PakistanDepartment of Mechatronics Engineering, College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad 44000, PakistanDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Capital University of Science and Technology, Islamabad 44000, PakistanUS—Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Energy, University of Engineering & Technology, Peshawar 25000, PakistanHigher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), UM Power Energy Dedicated Advanced Centre (UMPEDAC), Level 4, Wisma R&D, University of Malaya, Jalan Pantai Baharu, Kuala Lumpur 59990, MalaysiaDye-sensitized solar cells are gaining interest in the aerospace industry, extending their applications from solar-powered drones to origami-style space-based solar power stations due to their flexibility, light weightiness, and transparency. The major issue with its widespread commercial use is the employment of expensive Pt-based counter electrodes. In this study, an attempt has been made to replace the Pt with Polyaniline (PANI)/Molybdenum sulfide (MoS<sub>2</sub>) nanocomposite. The nanocomposites i.e., PANI-0.5wt% MoS<sub>2</sub>, PANI-2wt%MoS<sub>2</sub>, PANI-5wt%MoS<sub>2</sub>, and PANI-7wt%MoS<sub>2</sub>and PANI-9wt%MoS<sub>2</sub>, have been synthesized and compared with standard Pt-based CE. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction methods have been utilized to study both surface morphology and structural composition. Fourier transform infrared has also been used to identify redox-active functionalities. Electron impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry have been employed to study electron transfer and catalytic activity. Finally, I-V testing has been conducted using a sun simulator. A maximum efficiency of 8.12% has been observed with 7wt% MoS<sub>2</sub> in the PANI matrix at 6 µm thickness, which is 2.65% higher compared to standard Pt-based CE (7.91%). This is due to high electronic conduction with the addition of MoS<sub>2</sub>, improved catalytic activity, and the high surface area of the PANI nano-rods.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/13/3786polyanilinedye-sensitized solar cellcounter electrodemolybdenum disulfidecatalyst |
| spellingShingle | Usman Ghafoor Anas Bin Aqeel Uzair Khaleeq uz Zaman Taiba Zahid Muhammad Noman Muhammad Shakeel Ahmad Effect of Molybdenum Disulfide on the Performance of Polyaniline Based Counter Electrode for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Applications Energies polyaniline dye-sensitized solar cell counter electrode molybdenum disulfide catalyst |
| title | Effect of Molybdenum Disulfide on the Performance of Polyaniline Based Counter Electrode for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Applications |
| title_full | Effect of Molybdenum Disulfide on the Performance of Polyaniline Based Counter Electrode for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Applications |
| title_fullStr | Effect of Molybdenum Disulfide on the Performance of Polyaniline Based Counter Electrode for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Applications |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effect of Molybdenum Disulfide on the Performance of Polyaniline Based Counter Electrode for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Applications |
| title_short | Effect of Molybdenum Disulfide on the Performance of Polyaniline Based Counter Electrode for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Applications |
| title_sort | effect of molybdenum disulfide on the performance of polyaniline based counter electrode for dye sensitized solar cell applications |
| topic | polyaniline dye-sensitized solar cell counter electrode molybdenum disulfide catalyst |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/13/3786 |
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