Exploring the synergistic effect of NixSn2xS4x thiospinel with MWCNTs for enhanced performance in dye-sensitized solar cells, the hydrogen evolution reaction, and supercapacitors.
- Resource Type
- Article
- Authors
- Saravanakumar, T.; Selvaraju, T.; Bhojanaa, K. B.; Ramesh, M.; Pandikumar, A.; Akilan, R.; Shankar, R.; Sardhar Basha, S. J.
- Source
- Dalton Transactions: An International Journal of Inorganic Chemistry. 4/28/2020, Vol. 49 Issue 16, p5336-5351. 16p.
- Subject
- *HYDROGEN evolution reactions
*OXYGEN evolution reactions
*DYE-sensitized solar cells
*MULTIWALLED carbon nanotubes
*INDIUM tin oxide
*NICKEL sulfide
*DENSITY functional theory
- Language
- ISSN
- 1477-9226
Trifunctional nickel tin sulfide (NixSn2xS4x) with a thiospinel-like structure composited with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) (M–NixSn2xS4x) was synthesized by a facile method. The unit cell arrangement of the prepared composite was studied by density functional theory, and the theoretical interpretation satisfactorily inferred the presence of a synergistic effect between the thiospinel and MWCNTs. The high metallic conductivity and superior electrocatalytic activity of the M–NixSn2xS4x composite endow it with diverse applications. The composite shows promise as a counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells (efficiency of 4.67% for fluorine-doped indium tin oxide compared to 5.23% for platinum); an efficient catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction with good cycling stability and a low overpotential of −41 mV at a cathode current density of 10 mA cm2 and a Tafel slope of 43 mV dec−1 on a graphite sheet electrode; and an impressive capacitance material on a graphite sheet electrode alternative to expensive current collectors such as Ni foam, with a specific capacitance value of 1200 F g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1 and a long life span of 92.6% that is retained for up to 15 000 cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]