Synthesis of rGO-CoMoS composite using hydrothermal method as a counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC)

Abstract

Abstract Dye-sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC) technology is a good choice to convert sun energy into electrical energy, because of its low cost fabrication. One of the main components of the DSSC is the counter electrode, which is generally Pt based, while Pt is expensive and rare material, so replacement for Pt is needed. The rGO-CoMoS composite is a potential one. rGO was prepared from graphite which was oxidized by the hummer method. rGO-CoMoS was synthesized from GO, Cobalt, Molybdenum, and thiourea using a hydrothermal reaction at 200 oC, with various reaction times for 12, 24, and 36 hours. Time variation is done because the reaction time affects the character of the composite formed. The results of the synthesis were characterized by XRD, FTIR, SEM, and UV-Vis spectroscopy to prove that the synthesis was successful. Then the composite was coated on FTO glass to become a counter electrode, and sandwich fabricated with the arrangement of FTO/TiO2-N3-I−/I3 −-rGO-CoMoS/FTO. Then tested the current and voltage with Keithley to determine its efficiency as a DSSC. And the material that produces the best efficiency is rGO-CoMoS 36 with efficiency 0.00413%.