Formation of CoTe2 embedded in nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes-grafted polyhedrons with boosted electrocatalytic properties in dye-sensitized solar cells

• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2019.01.153
• Publication Date: 2019-01-24T10:12:36Z
• Authors: Shaowei Huang; Shuolin Li; Qian He; Hang An; Longqiang Xiao; Linxi Hou
• Keywords: Imidazolate; Carbon fibers; Zeolitic imidazolate framework

Abstract Developing high active and earth-abundant electrocatalysts is a challenge for commercialization of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Herein, a designed synthesis of CoTe2 nanoparticles embedded in nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes-grafted polyhedron (CoTe2@NCNTs) using zeolitic imidazolate framework-67 (ZIF-67) as template is reported. Benefiting from the high surface area induced by the in situ growth of CNTs and the synergistic effect between CoTe2 and the N-doped nanostructured carbon, CoTe2@NCNTs hybrids exhibit remarkable catalytic activity toward the reduction of I3− ions. When employed as counter electrode (CE) of DSSCs, CoTe2@NCNTs hybrids deliver overwhelming power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 9.02%, possessing ~12% improvement compared with the Pt CE (8.03%). This study provides an emerging substitute for traditional Pt CE and a strategy to synthesize efficient electrocatalysts via rational surface engineering.