Prussian-blue analog-derived Co3S4/MoS2 porous nanocubes as enhanced Pt-free electrode catalysts for high-efficiency dye-sensitized solar cells

Among clean energy catalysts, nanocube-structured functional materials with complex exterior texture, whose components/morphologies can be easily regulated, have attracted much attention. Hereon, we report the morphology-controllable Co3S4/MoS2 co-doped nanocubes (Co3S4/MoS2 NCs) derived from cobaltic Prussian-blue analog (Co PBA). The synthetic process of these nanocubes could be controlled by the reactant ratios (1/1, 1/2 and 1/3) of Co PBA to (NH4)(2)MoS4. In this process, (NH4)(2)MoS4 acted as a multifunctional vulcanizator, which could conveniently afford Mo and S elements at the same time. As the increment of (NH4)(2)MoS4, the exterior texture of Co3S4/MoS2 NCs became rougher with more embedded tiny nanoparticles. When the ratio was set as 1/2, the as-obtained Co3S4/MoS2-2 nanocubes exhibited good catalytic property in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Notably, the DSSC with Co3S4/MoS2-2 counter electrode (CE) showed a better efficiency of 8.96% than that of Pt CE (7.77%) under standard conditions.