Optimizing dye-sensitized solar cells with a TiO2/CoS hybrid photoanode for enhanced solar energy conversion

IF 2.4 4区化学 Q3 CHEMISTRY, PHYSICAL

Ionics Pub Date : 2025-02-10 DOI:10.1007/s11581-025-06125-3

K. K. Saravanan, D. Venkatesan, R. Regan, G. Hariharan

{"title":"Optimizing dye-sensitized solar cells with a TiO2/CoS hybrid photoanode for enhanced solar energy conversion","authors":"K. K. Saravanan, D. Venkatesan, R. Regan, G. Hariharan","doi":"10.1007/s11581-025-06125-3","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Renewable energy resources play a valuable role in meeting the global increase in energy demand, driving the need for high-efficiency, stable photoanode materials in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). In this study, TiO<sub>2</sub>/CoS hybrid composites with varying CoS weight percentages (10%, 15%, 20%, 25%) were synthesized via a simple ultrasonication-assisted hydrothermal process to enhance DSSC performance. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), N<sub>2</sub> adsorption–desorption, and ultra-violet (UV)-Vis techniques were utilized to analyze the surface morphology, crystal structure, surface area, and absorbance spectra of the TiO<sub>2</sub>/CoS composites, respectively. The characterization results confirmed the successful synthesis of TiO<sub>2</sub>/CoS hybrid composites, with XRD and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses verifying the incorporation of CoS into the TiO<sub>2</sub> matrix. Additionally, N<sub>2</sub> adsorption–desorption isotherms revealed that the TiO<sub>2</sub>/CoS 20 composite exhibited the highest surface area, pore size, and pore volume, which significantly enhances its dye adsorption capability and electrocatalytic performance. The current density–voltage (J-V) curve obtained under solar simulation revealed a conversion efficiency of 6.95% for the TiO<sub>2</sub>/CoS 20 hybrid photoanode, marking a 192% increase compared to the pristine TiO<sub>2</sub> photoanode. This significant improvement is attributed to its lower charge transfer resistance of 5.3 Ω and enhanced photocurrent density of 17.20 mA/cm<sup>2</sup>, highlighting its superior electrochemical performance in DSSCs. The TiO<sub>2</sub>/CoS 20 hybrid composite demonstrated its effectiveness as a photoanode for DSSCs, significantly enhancing both photoconversion efficiency and electron transport properties.</p><h3>Graphical Abstract</h3>\n<div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":599,"journal":{"name":"Ionics","volume":"31 4","pages":"3575 - 3589"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4000,"publicationDate":"2025-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Ionics","FirstCategoryId":"92","ListUrlMain":"https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11581-025-06125-3","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"CHEMISTRY, PHYSICAL","Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Abstract

Renewable energy resources play a valuable role in meeting the global increase in energy demand, driving the need for high-efficiency, stable photoanode materials in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). In this study, TiO₂/CoS hybrid composites with varying CoS weight percentages (10%, 15%, 20%, 25%) were synthesized via a simple ultrasonication-assisted hydrothermal process to enhance DSSC performance. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), N₂ adsorption–desorption, and ultra-violet (UV)-Vis techniques were utilized to analyze the surface morphology, crystal structure, surface area, and absorbance spectra of the TiO₂/CoS composites, respectively. The characterization results confirmed the successful synthesis of TiO₂/CoS hybrid composites, with XRD and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses verifying the incorporation of CoS into the TiO₂ matrix. Additionally, N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherms revealed that the TiO₂/CoS 20 composite exhibited the highest surface area, pore size, and pore volume, which significantly enhances its dye adsorption capability and electrocatalytic performance. The current density–voltage (J-V) curve obtained under solar simulation revealed a conversion efficiency of 6.95% for the TiO₂/CoS 20 hybrid photoanode, marking a 192% increase compared to the pristine TiO₂ photoanode. This significant improvement is attributed to its lower charge transfer resistance of 5.3 Ω and enhanced photocurrent density of 17.20 mA/cm², highlighting its superior electrochemical performance in DSSCs. The TiO₂/CoS 20 hybrid composite demonstrated its effectiveness as a photoanode for DSSCs, significantly enhancing both photoconversion efficiency and electron transport properties.

Graphical Abstract

查看原文本刊更多论文

求助全文

约1分钟内获得全文求助全文

来源期刊

Ionics 化学-电化学

CiteScore

5.30

自引率

7.10%

发文量

427

审稿时长

2.2 months

期刊介绍： Ionics is publishing original results in the fields of science and technology of ionic motion. This includes theoretical, experimental and practical work on electrolytes, electrode, ionic/electronic interfaces, ionic transport aspects of corrosion, galvanic cells, e.g. for thermodynamic and kinetic studies, batteries, fuel cells, sensors and electrochromics. Fast solid ionic conductors are presently providing new opportunities in view of several advantages, in addition to conventional liquid electrolytes.