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<p>The present study focuses on the synthesis and optimization of the physicochemical properties of carbon nanotube-doped lanthanum oxide (CNT–La<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>) quantum dot-based photoanodes by incorporating cerium and cobalt ions to enhance the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Three quantum dot-based photoanodes were fabricated: (i) CNT–La<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>, (ii) cerium-doped CNT–La<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> (CNT–La<sub>1.5</sub>Ce<sub>0.5</sub>O<sub>3</sub>), and (iii) cerium and cobalt co-doped CNT–La<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> (CNT–La<sub>1.0</sub>Ce<sub>0.5</sub>Co<sub>0.5</sub>O<sub>3</sub>). These materials were deposited on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrates using the chemical bath deposition method. x-Ray diffraction analysis confirmed the successful incorporation of cerium (Ce<sup>3+</sup>/Ce<sup>4+</sup>) and cobalt (Co<sup>2+</sup>/Co<sup>3+</sup>) ions into the CNT–La<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> matrix, leading to structural distortion and enhanced crystallinity. Atomic force microscopy revealed that CNT–La<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> provided a well-balanced surface morphology, ensuring consistent charge transport and improved dye adherence. The incorporation of Ce ions increased defect density and surface roughness, facilitating higher dye-loading capacity and improved light scattering. In addition, cobalt ion inclusion contributed to anisotropic features and localized electronic heterogeneity, optimizing electron pathways. Ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy revealed red shifts in absorption edges, suggesting enhanced photon harvesting in the visible spectrum. A sequential reduction in bandgap across the series further demonstrated the pivotal role of Ce and Co in modulating the electronic structure of CNT–La<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>. DSSCs fabricated with CNT–La<sub>1.0</sub>Ce<sub>0.5</sub>Co<sub>0.5</sub>O<sub>3</sub> exhibited the highest photon conversion efficiency of 12.50%, outperforming other configurations. This enhanced performance is attributed to optimized bandgap engineering by cerium (4<i>f</i> orbital) and cobalt (3<i>d</i> orbital) ions in the CNT–La<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> matrix, leading to improved electron transport and suppressed charge recombination. The findings highlight the potential of CNT–La<sub>1.0</sub>Ce<sub>0.5</sub>Co<sub>0.5</sub>O<sub>3</sub> quantum dots for advanced solar cell applications.</p>

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Optimization of Light-Harvesting Capacity in CNT–La2O3 Photoanodes for Enhanced DSSC Efficiency via Cerium and Cobalt Ion Embedding in CNT–La1.5Ce0.5O3 and CNT–La1.0Ce0.5Co0.5O3 Quantum Dots

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年9月11日

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  • D. Sengeni,
  • B. Uthayakumar,
  • S. Sukandhiya,
  • V. Suganthi,
  • B. J. Kalaiselvi,
  • P. Siva Karthik

摘要

The present study focuses on the synthesis and optimization of the physicochemical properties of carbon nanotube-doped lanthanum oxide (CNT–La2O3) quantum dot-based photoanodes by incorporating cerium and cobalt ions to enhance the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Three quantum dot-based photoanodes were fabricated: (i) CNT–La2O3, (ii) cerium-doped CNT–La2O3 (CNT–La1.5Ce0.5O3), and (iii) cerium and cobalt co-doped CNT–La2O3 (CNT–La1.0Ce0.5Co0.5O3). These materials were deposited on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrates using the chemical bath deposition method. x-Ray diffraction analysis confirmed the successful incorporation of cerium (Ce3+/Ce4+) and cobalt (Co2+/Co3+) ions into the CNT–La2O3 matrix, leading to structural distortion and enhanced crystallinity. Atomic force microscopy revealed that CNT–La2O3 provided a well-balanced surface morphology, ensuring consistent charge transport and improved dye adherence. The incorporation of Ce ions increased defect density and surface roughness, facilitating higher dye-loading capacity and improved light scattering. In addition, cobalt ion inclusion contributed to anisotropic features and localized electronic heterogeneity, optimizing electron pathways. Ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy revealed red shifts in absorption edges, suggesting enhanced photon harvesting in the visible spectrum. A sequential reduction in bandgap across the series further demonstrated the pivotal role of Ce and Co in modulating the electronic structure of CNT–La2O3. DSSCs fabricated with CNT–La1.0Ce0.5Co0.5O3 exhibited the highest photon conversion efficiency of 12.50%, outperforming other configurations. This enhanced performance is attributed to optimized bandgap engineering by cerium (4f orbital) and cobalt (3d orbital) ions in the CNT–La2O3 matrix, leading to improved electron transport and suppressed charge recombination. The findings highlight the potential of CNT–La1.0Ce0.5Co0.5O3 quantum dots for advanced solar cell applications.