Application of CuInSnSe Heteronanostructures as Counter Electrodes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.

In this research, we reported the synthesis of quaternary CuInSnSe nanoparticles with uniform size distribution and morphology for the first time through delicate controls over the chemical reaction kinetics. On the basis of the preparation strategy of CuInSnSe nanoparticles, Pt-CuInSnSe and Au-CuInSnSe heteronanostructures were designed and yielded using a simple and efficient seed growth method. These two heteronanostructures remained monodispersed without presence of any CuInSnSe nanocrystal impurities. To explore their application potentials for dye-sensitized solar cells, counter electrodes consisting of individual CuInSnSe, Pt-CuInSnSe, or Au-CuInSnSe constituents were fabricated. Current density-voltage (J-V) characteristics evaluation reveals that CuInSnSe nanoparticles, Pt-CuInSnSe and Au-CuInSnSe heterostructured nanoparticles display a comparative power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 5.8%, 7.6%, and 6.5% to that of a Pt-based counter electrode (7.9%), respectively. As such, we believe that the reported preparation strategy could provide new insights to the design and manufacture of counter electrode materials with controlled structure, morphology, and optimized power conversion efficiency for dye-sensitized solar cells.