Application of Cu3InSnSe5 heteronanostructures as counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells

In this research, we reported the synthesis of quaternary Cu3InSnSe5 nanoparticles with uniform size distribution and morphology for the first time through delicate controls over the chemical reaction kinetics. On the basis of the preparation strategy of Cu3InSnSe5 nanoparticles, Pt-Cu3InSnSe5 and Au- Cu3InSnSe5 heteronanostructures were designed and yielded using a simple and efficient seed growth method. These two heteronanostructures remained monodispersed without presence of any Cu3InSnSe5 nanocrystal impurities. To explore their application potentials for dye-sensitized solar cells, counter electrodes consisting of individual Cu3InSnSe5, Pt- Cu3InSnSe5, or Au-Cu3InSnSe5 constituents were fabricated. Current density-voltage (J-V) characteristics evaluation reveals that Cu3InSnSe5 nanoparticles, Pt-Cu3InSnSe5 and Au-Cu3InSnSe5 heterostructured nanoparticles display a comparative power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 5.8%, 7.6%, and 6.5% to that of a Pt-based counter electrode (7.9%), respectively. As such, we believe that the reported preparation strategy could provide new insights to the design and manufacture of counter electrode materials with controlled structure, morphology, and optimized power conversion efficiency for dye-sensitized solar cells.