Hierarchical MoSe2 nanoflowers used as highly efficient electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract In order to seek a cost-effective and facile approach to synthesize counter electrode (CE) material used in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), MoSe 2 nanoflowers (300 ∼ 400 nm) with nanosphere hierarchical architecture were prepared successfully via a facile and economical hydrothermal method. The systematical electrochemical measurements including EIS, CV and Tafel polarization experiments illustrated that MoSe 2 nanoflowers exhibited superior electrocatalytic property. The excellent electrocatalytic performance could be due to abundant active sites, stable chemical property, enhanced exchange current density ( J 0 ) and decreased charge-transfer resistance ( R ct ) of the fabricated MoSe 2 nanoflowers. In addition, the DSSCs assembled by MoSe 2 CE achieved more remarkable photovoltaic performance (PCE = 7.01%) for I 3 − reduction than standard Pt CE (PCE = 6.38%), suggesting that MoSe 2 nanoflowers could be a promising alternative for CE material in DSSCs.