Rapid sintering of MoS2 counter electrode using near-infrared pulsed laser for use in highly efficient dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is a promising material for use as a low-cost electrocatalytic counter electrode (CE) in photoelectrochemical dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). However, currently, the MoS2 CEs are generally prepared with a high temperature sintering for the synthesis and crystallization of MoS2. Here, we report a simple and rapid method for the preparation of highly efficient MoS2 CEs. The MoS2 films were synthesized at 70 degrees C, followed by sintering with a near-infrared (IR) pulsed laser for 1 min. Compared to the conventional heat-sintered MoS2 CE, the laser-sintered CE showed enhanced crystallinity and improved interconnection between the MoS2 particles, resulting in superior electrocatalytic activity towards the I-/I-3(-) redox couple. When used in a DSSC, the laser-sintered MoS2 CE exhibited a higher conversion efficiency (eta = 7.19%) compared to that of the heat-sintered CE (eta = 5.96%). Furthermore, the laser-sintered CE had a comparable conversion efficiency compared to that of the conventional Pt CE (eta = 7.42%). (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.