A promising hybrid counter electrode of vanadium sulfide decorated with carbon nanotubes for efficient dye-sensitized solar cells

A hybrid counter electrode (CE) of vanadium sulfide decorated with carbon nanotubes (CNTs/VS2) for efficient dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) was prepared by using an in situ hydrothermal route, and the DSSC based on the CNTs/VS2 CE prepared at 180 degrees C and contained 0.05 g CNTs exhibits a power conversion efficiency of 7.72% under illumination of 100 mW cm(-2). The surface morphology of the VS2 and CNTs/VS2 changed from nanoparticles to one-dimensional (1D) structure was significantly affected by temperature. The electrochemical performance analyses including cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance and Tafel curves for the CNTs/VS2 CEs with different temperatures and CNT contents reveal that the CNTs/VS2 CE possesses the better electrocatalytic activity and lower charge transfer resistance at the electrolyte/CE interface for I-/I-3(-) liquid electrolyte at 180 degrees C and 0.05 g CNTs. (c) 2017 Published by Elsevier Ltd.