Effective and stable FeNi@ N-doped graphene counter electrode for enhanced performance dye sensitized solar cells

Abstract

N-doped FeNi@graphene is introduced as effective and stable non-precious counter electrode for the dye sensitized solar cells. After preparation of graphene oxide using the chemical route, the obtained product has been refluxed in presence of nickel acetate, ferrous acetate and urea at 150°C for 12h. Then, the solid product was mixed with melamine and sintered under nitrogen atmosphere at 850°C. The invoked characterization techniques affirmed formation of N-doped graphene decorated by FeNi bimetallic nanoparticles. In dye sensitized solar cell, the prepared material revealed good performance as counter electrode as the estimated efficiency was 4.12% with a photocurrent and an open circuit voltage of 8.96mA/cm2 and 0.73V, respectively, Moreover, the cyclic voltammetry measurements indicated very good catalytic activity and distinct stability.