Core/shell structured carbon nanofiber/platinum nanoparticle hybrid web as a counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cell

[Display omitted] •Core/shell structured carbon nanofiber/platinum nanoparticle web is prepared.•The hybrid web is prepared by simultaneous thermal transformation of precursors.•An electrode is fabricated using the hybrid web without structural deformation.•A DSSC with the hybrid electrode exhibits improved energy conversion efficiency. Core/shell structured carbon nanofiber/platinum nanoparticle (Pt NP) hybrid web was prepared and applied to counter electrode (CE) of dye-sensitized solar cell. Nanofibers (NFs) composed of polyacrylonitrile (co)polymer and Pt precursors were first prepared by coaxial electrospinning. A series of thermal treatment procedures afforded simultaneous transformations of the precursors to carbon nanofiber (CNF) web with Pt NPs in the shell layer. This spatial distribution of Pt NPs in CNF increased the electrocatalytic activity of the CNF web. The CE exhibited a low charge transfer resistance at the interface between CE and electrolyte, demonstrating synergistic combination of Pt NPs and the CNF.