Development of Cost-Effective Nickel-Doped Molybdenum Disulfide as Counter Electrode for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

The development of cost-effective and efficient counter electrodes plays a crucial role in driving the progress of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). In this investigation, we have synthesized and assessed nickel-doped molybdenum di-sulfide (Ni-MoS2) as a cost-effective substitute to platinum (Pt) for the role of the counter electrode (CE) in DSSCs. Our study involves a comparative analysis between pure MoS2 and Ni-doped MoS2, specifically exploring two different nickel concentrations, 0.25 mmol, and 0.5 mmol, to evaluate their influence on the DSSC photovoltaic performance. X-ray diffraction studies have shown several distinct crystalline peaks in the Ni MoS2 CE, setting it apart from the amorphous nature of MoS2 CE. This finding suggests a more crystalline and ordered composition in the Ni-doped variants. Additionally, we have investigated the impact of Ni concentration on the overall photovoltaic performance. Notably, we have found that the CE containing 0.25 mmol of Ni showcased respectable efficiency (2.6%) compared to the pure MoS2 counterpart (2.0%). The crystalline structures observed in the Ni-MoS2 CEs, along with the enhanced photovoltaic performance at the 0.25 mmol Ni concentration, highlight the viability of this material for further optimization and integration into practical solar cell applications.