WS2 and MoS2 counter electrode materials for dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract

Being confronted with the energy crisis and environmental problems, the exploration of clean and renewable energy materials as well as their devices are urgently demanded. Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have attracted widespread attention in recent years as potential cost-effective alternatives to silicon-based and thin film solar cells. Two-dimensional (2D) graphene-like transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), such as WS2 and MoS2, have showed vast potential as novel energy materials due to their unique physicochemical properties. In this review, we outline the applications of WS2 and MoS2 as counter electrode materials in DSSCs. First, a brief introduction of structures and basic properties of WS2 and MoS2 are presented. Then, we summarize the exciting progress of these two materials for DSSCs. Finally, the prospect and further developments in these exciting fields of TMDs are also suggested.