Eka Nurfani, M. Adhi Hardjatmo, M. Alvien Ghifari, Rishal Asri, Resti Marlina, Jumaeda Jatmika, Asnan Rinovian, Meqorry Yusfi, Robi Kurniawan, Muhamad F. Arif
In this work, a NiO–graphite composite is investigated as a low-cost counter electrode (CE) material that combines the high electrical conductivity of graphite with the electrocatalytic activity of nickel oxide (NiO). The composite films were fabricated by spin-coating with NiO content of 0 wt.% (CN0%), 1 wt.% (CN1%), 3 wt.% (CN3%), and 4 wt.% (CN4%) relative to graphite. Structural and morphological characterization was carried out using x-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and field-emission scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (FESEM–EDX). The structural analysis confirms the formation of crystalline NiO uniformly distributed on the graphite surface, forming a well-integrated composite interface up to CN3%. In the CN4% sample, agglomeration of NiO is observed. Photovoltaic characterization reveals that incorporation of NiO significantly enhances the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) compared with pristine graphite. An optimal NiO loading of CN3% yields the highest power conversion efficiency of 0.145%, representing an improvement of more than two orders of magnitude relative to the CN0% electrode (0.001%). The performance enhancement is primarily attributed to improved catalytic activity for the redox reaction and more efficient charge transfer at the counter-electrode/electrolyte interface, as evidenced by increased current density and improved J–V characteristics. These findings demonstrate that NiO incorporation is an effective strategy for enhancing the performance of graphite-based CEs and highlight the potential of NiO–graphite composites as sustainable, platinum-free alternatives for DSSC applications. © The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society 2026.
Department of Materials Engineering, Faculty of Industrial Technology, Institut Teknologi Sumatera (ITERA), South Lampung, 35365, Indonesia; Center for Green and Sustainable Materials, Institut Teknologi Sumatera (ITERA), South Lampung, 35365, Indonesia; Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Institut Teknologi Sumatera (ITERA), South Lampung, 35365, Indonesia; Department of Energy System Engineering, Faculty of Industrial Technology, Institut Teknologi Sumatera (ITERA), South Lampung, 35365, Indonesia; Research Center for Biomass and Bioproducts, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), South Tangerang, 15314, Indonesia; Research Center for Quantum Physics, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), South Tangerang, 15314, Indonesia; Research Center for Mineral Technology, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), South Lampung, 35361, Indonesia; Department of Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Andalas, Padang, 25175, Indonesia; Department of Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Malang, Malang, 65145, Indonesia