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NiCo 2 O 4 /carbon black (NiCo 2 O 4 /C) composite is successfully synthesized by a facile solution route, and used as counter electrode (CE) for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). The DSCs based on NiCo 2 O 4 /C composite CE achieves a power conversion efficiency of 6.27%, which is much higher than that of NiO/C (5.07%), Co 3 O 4 /C (4.82%) or pristine C (4.34%). Also, the fill factors of DSCs devices with the NiCo 2 O 4 /C CE are better than that of other CEs. Compared to pristine C, the NiCo 2 O 4 /C composite has a marked improvement on electrocatalytic performance for the reduction of triiodide. Due to the synergistic effect between C and NiCo 2 O 4 , the NiCo 2 O 4 /C CE possesses both high efficiency and stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] V, Nb and Ta-doped TiO2 was prepared by hydrothermal method to construct DSSCs. [•] VB doping induces the positive shift of E fb of TiO2. [•] VB doping improves the performance by enhancing the photocurrent. [•] Nb-doped TiO2 photoanode showed a highest photovoltaic efficiency of 8.33%. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]