Abstract:
Platinum-based counter electrodes (CEs) in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) face
significant drawbacks due to their high cost, limited abundance, and vulnerability to
corrosion, particularly in iodide/triiodide electrolyte environments, which ultimately limits
the commercial viability of DSSCs. Addressing these challenges, this research investigates
CoMnSe2/NPC, a novel catalyst synthesized as an alternative CE material through a
zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-67) precursor. The synthesis involved strategic
manganese doping during the carbonization phase, followed by precise selenization of the
ZIF-67 framework, resulting in a CoMnSe2/NPC nanocomposite with enhanced
electrocatalytic performance. The modified material demonstrated a catalytic current
density (Jc) of 2.36 mA/cm2
, a limiting current density (Jlim) of 1.87 mA/cm2
, and a
remarkably low charge transfer resistance (RCT) of 7.27 Ω, highlighting its superior
catalytic activity and charge transfer efficiency compared to traditional Pt and CoSe2/NPC
electrodes. These improvements are attributed to the synergistic effects of manganese
doping, which enhances both the active surface area and electronic conductivity, as well as
an optimized electronic structure that facilitates more efficient electron transfer at the
electrode interface. This work underscores CoMnSe2/NPC’s potential as a highly efficient,
cost-effective, and durable alternative to platinum-based CEs, marking a significant step
forward in the development of high-performance materials for sustainable DSSC
technology.
