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<p>The high cost and scarcity of platinum (Pt), the conventional counter electrode material in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), have driven the search for sustainable, low-cost alternatives without compromising efficiency and stability. This study presents the development of an innovative hybrid carbon electrode consisting of spinel CoMn<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> nanoparticles affixed to nitrogen-doped biocarbon (CMO/N-BC) obtained from <i>Moringa oleifera seed husk</i>. The inherent nitrogen concentration in the biomass facilitated in situ doping during pyrolysis, resulting in a porous, defect-laden carbon framework that promotes improved charge transfer. X-ray diffraction (XRD) study validated the spinel phase of CoMn<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> and the amorphous characteristics of N-BC. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy revealed distinctive metal–oxygen oscillations and graphitic characteristics, respectively. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis demonstrated uniform distribution and strong interfacial interaction between CoMn<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> and N-BC. Textural analysis showed a significant increase in specific surface area (CMO/N-BC: 146.2&#xa0;m<sup>2</sup>&#xa0;g<sup>−1</sup>) and mesoporosity, facilitating electrolyte diffusion. The electrochemical analysis showed that CMO/N-BC demonstrated remarkable electrocatalytic activity, with low charge transfer resistance (12.7&#xa0;Ω&#xa0;cm<sup>2</sup>), high peak current density in cyclic voltammetry, and a small Tafel slope, indicating that the redox kinetics were improved. The CMO/N-BC-based DSSC possessed outstanding power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 7.45%, which was much higher than the performance of pure CMO (4.91 %) and close to that of Pt (8.89%). The device was also very stable and consistent over an extended period of use. This study shows an effective and sustainable means for fabricating high-performance DSSCs from Pt-free counter electrodes derived from biowaste materials.</p>

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Sustainable Design of CoMn2O4/N-Doped Biocarbon Hybrid Electrode from Moringa Seed Husk for Enhanced Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Efficiency

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月13日

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  • M. Muthupriya,
  • N. Shobanadevi,
  • Mahaboob Beevi Mohamed Yusuf,
  • R. Ramya

摘要

The high cost and scarcity of platinum (Pt), the conventional counter electrode material in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), have driven the search for sustainable, low-cost alternatives without compromising efficiency and stability. This study presents the development of an innovative hybrid carbon electrode consisting of spinel CoMn2O4 nanoparticles affixed to nitrogen-doped biocarbon (CMO/N-BC) obtained from Moringa oleifera seed husk. The inherent nitrogen concentration in the biomass facilitated in situ doping during pyrolysis, resulting in a porous, defect-laden carbon framework that promotes improved charge transfer. X-ray diffraction (XRD) study validated the spinel phase of CoMn2O4 and the amorphous characteristics of N-BC. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy revealed distinctive metal–oxygen oscillations and graphitic characteristics, respectively. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis demonstrated uniform distribution and strong interfacial interaction between CoMn2O4 and N-BC. Textural analysis showed a significant increase in specific surface area (CMO/N-BC: 146.2 m2 g−1) and mesoporosity, facilitating electrolyte diffusion. The electrochemical analysis showed that CMO/N-BC demonstrated remarkable electrocatalytic activity, with low charge transfer resistance (12.7 Ω cm2), high peak current density in cyclic voltammetry, and a small Tafel slope, indicating that the redox kinetics were improved. The CMO/N-BC-based DSSC possessed outstanding power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 7.45%, which was much higher than the performance of pure CMO (4.91 %) and close to that of Pt (8.89%). The device was also very stable and consistent over an extended period of use. This study shows an effective and sustainable means for fabricating high-performance DSSCs from Pt-free counter electrodes derived from biowaste materials.