Synthesis of α-Mo2C by Carburization of α-MoO3 Nanowires and Its Electrocatalytic Activity towards Tri-iodide Reduction for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2016
Abstract
Nanowire-shaped α-MoO3 was synthesized on a large scale by hydrothermal route. Nanocrystalline α-Mo2C phase was obtained by the carburization of α-MoO3 nanowires with urea as a carbon source precursor. The phase purity and crystalline size of the synthesized materials were ascertained by using powder X-ray diffraction. The shape and morphology of synthesized materials were characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). The electrocatalytic activity of α-Mo2C for I−/I3− redox couple was investigated by the cyclic voltammetry. The synthesized α-Mo2C was subsequently applied as counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells to replace the expensive platinum.
Keywords
Counter electrode, Dye-sensitized solar cells, Electrocatalytic activity, Molybdenum carbide, Molybdenum oxide
Divisions
PHYSICS
Funders
Department of Atomic Energy – Board of Research in Nuclear Sciences (DAE-BRNS) (Grant No. 2013/37P/1/BRNS), Mumbai, India
Publication Title
Journal of Materials Science & Technology
Volume
32
Issue
12
Publisher
Elsevier