Synthesis and photoelectric properties of visible sensitive SnS2-linked graphene composites

• SnS2-linked graphenes were synthesized to apply into an anode electrode in DSSCs.
• SnS2-rGO-TiO2/TiO2 layered films enhanced the energy conversion efficiency of DSSCs.
• The photovoltaic efficiency exhibited 5.47% for 1.0 wt.% SnS2-rGO-TiO2/TiO2-DSSC.

SnS2-linked graphene (SnS2-rGO) was synthesized from graphene and SnCl2 under mild reducing conditions. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy of the SnS2-rGO samples confirmed the presence of SnS2 nanoplates that were highly dispersed and well linked onto the thin layered graphene. The SnS2-rGO was introduced as a working electrode into dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) because of its good transparency and electric conductivity. The SnS2-rGO was mixed with p-25 TiO2 powders to make an anode electrode of DSSCs. The graphene and SnS2 exhibited a synergistic effect. Compared to p-25 TiO2-double layered DSSC, the SnS2-rGO-TiO2(upper)/TiO2(bottom) double layered anode film enhanced the energy conversion efficiency considerably; the efficiency for the 1.0 wt.% SnS2-rGO-TiO2(top)/TiO2(bottom)-DSSC was approximately 5.47%. A potential energy model for electron transfer among TiO2, SnS2-rGO-TiO2, and dye was suggested on the basis of ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry which showed a good relationship with the photovoltaic efficiency.

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