Surfactant assisted FeCo2O4 nanostructure: An efficient counter electrode for dye sensitized solar cell assisted hexagonal and photocatalyst for dye degradation

In this work, bare and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) assisted FeCo2O4 (FCO) nanoparticles were prepared by simple co-precipitation method. The prepared nanoparticles are used as a counter electrode and catalyst for dye sensitized solar cell and photo-Fenton like methylene blue dye degradation respectively. SDS assisted FCO (SDS-FCO) nanoparticle is showing hexagonal nanostructure morphology whereas the bare one showing nanoparticle like morphology. Hexagonal morphology of FCO nanoparticle is enhances the catalytic activity for dye degradation reaction and dye sensitized solar cell photo-conversion efficiency (PEC). The recorded dye degradation efficiency and photo conversion efficiency (PEC) of SDS-FCO is 99 % and 3.31 % respectively, which is comparatively higher than bare FCO nanoparticle. In addition, nanostructure formation is helping to increase the light absorption ability, and reducing the electron transfer resistivity for the better photocatalytic activity and electron conductivity. Furthermore, the cycling test is confirms the stability of SDS-FCO hexagonal nanoparticle. Hence, this nanostructured FCO nanoparticle can be a good choice for the counter electrode and photocatalyst for environmental and energy remediation applications.