In situ grown MnCo2O4@NiCo2O4 layered core-shell plexiform array on carbon paper for high efficiency counter electrode materials of dye-sensitized solar cells

This study provides a general process for the synthesis of carbon paper (CP) supported core-shell MnCo2O4@NiCo2O4 nanoarrays structure through two-step solvothermal method. The as-synthesized hierarchical MnCo2O4@NiCo2O4/CP is further used as counter electrode (CE) based on Titanium mesh of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) and exhibits an excellent electrochemical property with a high photoelectric conversion efficiency of 9.58%. The excellent electrochemical performance can be ascribed to the contribution from carbon paper combination outer-sphere NiCo2O4 nanosheet and inner-sphere MnCo2O4 nanoneedle arrays and the use of titanium mesh, which offer a large specific surface area, abundant electronic transmission channels and small internal impedance. The present work can be helpful to develop low-cost and effective CE materials in DSSCs and other applications.