Construction of Ni doped MoO3 nanostructures and their application as counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells

In this research, we propose to develop a sustainable, affordable and non-toxic material in dye sensitized solar cells for counter-electrodes (DSSCs). As a low-cost equivalent to platinum, we describe a facile aqueous hydrothermal solution-processed nickel (Ni) doped molybdenum oxide (MoO3) counter electrode. The Ni concentration in to MoO3 was varied from 0 to 10 mol.%. The effect of Ni dopant on the microstructure, particle size and optical behavior of MoO3 was systematically investigated. The 10% Ni incorporated MoO3 showed high absorption in the visible light with optical band gap energy is close to 2.98 eV. The optimized CE with 10% Ni-MoO3 (NMO10) showed outstanding photo conversion efficiency (8.39%), long term stability and higher electrocatalytic activity. The order of the photovoltaic and electrocatalytic properties are NMO10 > NMO5 > NMO2 > MoO3. In addition, the Rct value of this electrode is lower and shows a lower resistance to charge transfer and higher electrocatalytic activity. The improved photoconversion mechanism of Ni in to MoO3 was also described in detail.