Flower-like CuCo2O4@RGO nanohybrid as an effective counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells

In this article, the flower-like CuCo2O4 have been prepared by annealing treatment after a simple solvothermal technique, then dispersed on reduced graphene oxide (CuCo2O4@RGO) and applied as counter electrode (CE) in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The DSSCs based on pure CuCo2O4 CE achieves a decent power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 5.19%, which has up to 84% of Pt CE (6.18%). However, after attaching RGO, the CuCo2O4@RGO nanohybrid obtains a competitive PCE of 6.11%. Through a series of electrochemical tests (Electrochemical impedance spectra, Tafel curve and cyclic voltammetry curve) and explaining the reason, the presence of RGO makes the nanohybrid possess a better catalytic activity than the pure CuCo2O4 and RGO. This work gives an alternative CE in non-Pt systems materials and a better choice in other related fields.