Synthesis and Electrochemical Characterization of Novel CoMnSe2/NPC as an Efficient Counter Electrode for Dye Sensitized Solar Cells /

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.