Ternary composite based on MoSe2-rGO/ polyaniline as an efficient counter electrode catalyst for dye sensitized solar cells

Abstract The closely stacked layer in molybdenum diselenide (MoSe2) and low rate of charge transfer limits its application in solar cell devices. Here, in-situ polymerization of aniline was carried out on MoSe2/r-GO nanocomposites to achieve an enhanced electronically conductive system with a homogenously dispersed phase for its active role as a counter electrode electrocatalyst in dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC). Physicochemical studies such as Raman and XRD confirmed the formation of a hybrid system. The hybrid showed up a buffered surface area of 41.892 m2/g as estimated by the BET study. The uniformly dispersed phase was observed in the SEM morphology. Nyquist plots provided Rct ≈ 38Ω revealing the low charge transfer resistance offered by the hybrid, improving the charge transfer phenomenon on its surface. The cyclic voltammograms showed nearly symmetrical oxidation-reduction peaks indicating the excellent reversibility of the charge transfer cycle. Additionally, solar cell characterization results pursued that the fabricated hybrid system can be a potential alternative as a counter electrode electrocatalyst in DSSC.