Abstract: The electroactive materials used in the counter electrode (CE) are of great concern as they influence the photovoltaic performances of dye-sensitized solar cells. The main functions of CE materials are collecting electrons from the external circuit and transferring them to the electrolyte and realizing the catalytic reduction of the redox species (I₃^- or Co³⁺) present in the electrolyte. The research hotspot of CE materials is seeking functional materials that display high efficiency, low cost, and good electrochemical stability and can substitute the benchmark platinum electrode. Chalcogen compounds of cobalt, nickel, and iron have been widely applied as CE materials and exhibit excellent electrocatalytic performances owing to their unique electrical properties, similar energies of adsorption of I atoms as platinum, excellent catalytic activities, and good chemical stabilities. In this review, we trace the developments and performances of chalcogen compounds of iron, cobalt, and nickel as CE materials and present the latest research directions for improving the electrocatalytic performances. We then highlight the optimization strategies for further improving their performances, such as fabrication of architectures, regulation of the components, synthesis of composites containing carbon materials, and elemental doping.

Key words: Counter electrode, Dye-sensitized solar cell, Chalcogen compound, Cobalt, Nickel, Iron