Structure of Ni(OH)₂ intermediates determines the efficiency of NiO-based photocathodes - a case study using novel mesoporous NiO nanostars.

ABSTRACT: We report the wet chemical synthesis of mesoporous NiO nanostars (NS) as photocathode material for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The growth mechanism of NiO NS as a new morphology of NiO is assessed by TEM and spectroscopic investigations. The NiO NS are obtained upon annealing of preformed β-Ni(OH)₂ into pristine NiO with low defect concentrations and favorable electronic configuration for dye sensitization. The NiO NS consist of fibers self-assembled from nanoparticles yielding a specific surface area of 44.9 m² g^-1. They possess a band gap of 3.83 eV and can be sensitized by molecular photosensitizers bearing a range of anchoring groups, e.g. carboxylic acid, phosphonic acid, and pyridine. The performance of NiO NS-based photocathodes in pho

SUBMITTER: Wahyuono RA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9076120 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature