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Self-assembly of Ni2P nanowires as high-efficiency electrocatalyst for dye-sensitized solar cells

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 July 2012

Qiwei Jiang ,
Yongcai Qiu ,
Keyou Yan ,
Junwu Xiao  and
Shihe Yang
Qiwei Jiang
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
Yongcai Qiu
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
Keyou Yan
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
Junwu Xiao
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
Shihe Yang*
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
*
Address all correspondence to Shihe Yang at [email protected]
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Abstract

We report an easy way to assemble porous one-dimensional (1D) Ni2P nanowires through phosphatization of a Ni(SO4)0.3(OH)1.4 nanobelt precursor. The peculiar synthetic process endows the Ni2P nanowires with large surface area, hierarchical porous structure and the ability to form closely connected network for transporting both electrons and electrolytes, which in conjunction with the high intrinsic electrocatalytic activity make it an excellent low-cost counter electrode material for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Indeed, the first investigation of such novel counter electrode for DSSC presented superb photovoltaic performance rivaling the conventional Pt counter electrode.

Type
Research Letters
Information
MRS Communications , Volume 2 , Issue 3 , September 2012 , pp. 97 - 99
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2012

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