2-Dimensional MoS2 nanosheets as transparent and highly electrocatalytic counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells: Effect of thermal treatments

MoS2 counter electrodes obtained via spin-coating of MoS2 nanosheets followed by thermal treatment at varied temperatures were used as highly transparent counter electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells, and the effect of temperatures on electrocatalytic activity as well as overall power conversion efficiency (PCE) of DSSCs was investigated. DSSC with thermally treated MoS2 at 100 °C exhibited comparable PCE of 7.35% to conventional Pt contained DSSC showing 7.53%, whereas cell performance with MoS2 thermally treated at higher temperature over 300 °C showed significant decrease in PCE due to the chemical change of MoS2 to poor electrocatalytic MoO3.