LAUSR

Abstract Graphene-loaded porous ZnCo 2 O 4 nanosheets composite (ZnCo 2 O 4 /RGO) had been synthesized by annealing the precursors, which were obtained after a simple hydrothermal method. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images revealed the microstructure of as-synthesized products. Raman spectroscopy confirmed the existence of RGO in the composite. ZnCo 2 O 4 /RGO composite exhibited great electrocatalytic property for reduction of I 3− , which showed enormous enhancements than that of pure ZnCo 2 O 4 and RGO. It can be ascribed to the synergetic effect between porous ZnCo 2 O 4 nanosheets and RGO films. As counter electrode (CE) for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), ZnCo 2 O 4 /RGO composite gained power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 6.73%, which was up to 88% of that for Pt CE (7.69%).