Scholarlink

<p>The present work focuses on analyzing the structural framework, light absorption behavior, and solar energy conversion efficiency of Nd<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>, Sr<sub>0.5</sub>Zn<sub>0.5</sub>Cr<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>, and their 1:1 composite film coated on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrates for application in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Comprehensive characterization reveals that the composite system exhibits synergistic improvements in material and device performance. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirms a multiphase crystalline structure with reduced crystallite sizes (7.3–41.0&#xa0;nm) and elevated lattice strain (up to 0.950%), enhancing dye adsorption and charge transport. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) identifies interfacial interactions, such as Nd<sup>3</sup>⁺–O–Cr<sup>3</sup>⁺ bonding that promote electron delocalization and suppress recombination. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) highlights a hierarchical surface morphology with high roughness (<i>Ra</i> = 15&#xa0;nm) and void volume (53.80 µm<sup>3</sup>), supporting efficient dye loading and light scattering. Raman and photoluminescence (PL) analyses indicate defect-state formation and efficient non-radiative charge separation. UV–Vis spectroscopy reveals a significantly reduced direct bandgap (2.37&#xa0;eV) in the composite, enabling broad visible-light absorption (300–700&#xa0;nm), consistent with an IPCE peak of 80% at 500&#xa0;nm. Photovoltaic measurements show that the composite photoanode achieves a short-circuit current density (J<sub>sc</sub>) of 18.2&#xa0;mA/cm<sup>2</sup>, open-circuit voltage (V<sub>oc</sub>) of 0.676&#xa0;V, fill factor (FF) of 0.73, and a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 8.9%, outperforming the individual oxides (Nd<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>: 5.90%; Sr<sub>0.5</sub>Zn<sub>0.5</sub>Cr<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>: 7.40%). These enhancements are attributed to type-II heterojunction formation, optimized band alignment, and defect-mediated charge transport. This work establishes the Nd<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>: Sr<sub>0.5</sub>Zn<sub>0.5</sub>Cr<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> composite as a promising photoanode for high-efficiency DSSCs.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Synergistic bandgap engineering of Nd2O3/Sr0.5Zn0.5Cr2O4 heterostructures for enhanced photoanode performance in dye-sensitized solar cells

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年12月3日

查看全文
  • V. Suganthi,
  • B. Uthayakumar,
  • S. Kumaran,
  • S. Sukandhiya,
  • J. Sasidevi,
  • P. Srinivasan,
  • G. Ramesh Kumar,
  • P. Siva Karthik

摘要

The present work focuses on analyzing the structural framework, light absorption behavior, and solar energy conversion efficiency of Nd2O3, Sr0.5Zn0.5Cr2O4, and their 1:1 composite film coated on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrates for application in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Comprehensive characterization reveals that the composite system exhibits synergistic improvements in material and device performance. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirms a multiphase crystalline structure with reduced crystallite sizes (7.3–41.0 nm) and elevated lattice strain (up to 0.950%), enhancing dye adsorption and charge transport. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) identifies interfacial interactions, such as Nd3⁺–O–Cr3⁺ bonding that promote electron delocalization and suppress recombination. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) highlights a hierarchical surface morphology with high roughness (Ra = 15 nm) and void volume (53.80 µm3), supporting efficient dye loading and light scattering. Raman and photoluminescence (PL) analyses indicate defect-state formation and efficient non-radiative charge separation. UV–Vis spectroscopy reveals a significantly reduced direct bandgap (2.37 eV) in the composite, enabling broad visible-light absorption (300–700 nm), consistent with an IPCE peak of 80% at 500 nm. Photovoltaic measurements show that the composite photoanode achieves a short-circuit current density (Jsc) of 18.2 mA/cm2, open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.676 V, fill factor (FF) of 0.73, and a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 8.9%, outperforming the individual oxides (Nd2O3: 5.90%; Sr0.5Zn0.5Cr2O4: 7.40%). These enhancements are attributed to type-II heterojunction formation, optimized band alignment, and defect-mediated charge transport. This work establishes the Nd2O3: Sr0.5Zn0.5Cr2O4 composite as a promising photoanode for high-efficiency DSSCs.