RESUMO
In this work, iron based 1, 3, 5-tricarboxylic acid (FeBTC) was prepared via microwave-assisted method and incorporated into TiO2 via ultrasonic assisted method. The TiO2-FeBTC nanocomposites were characterized by XRD, FTIR, Raman, BET, FESEM, HRTEM, TGA, UVâvis DRS and PL to understand their crystallographic, surface morphology, and optical characteristics. The Raman spectra showed a blue shift of Eg, A1g, and B1g peaks upon incorporation of FeBTC MOF onto TiO2. HRTEM and XRD analysis confirmed a mixture of TiO2 nanospheres and hexagonal FeBTC MOF morphologies with high crystallinity. The incorporation of FeBTC onto TiO2 improved the surface area as confirmed by BET results, which resulted in improved absorption in the visible region as a results of reduced bandgap energy from 3.2 to 2.84 eV. The PL results showed a reduced intensity for TiO2-FeBTC (6%) sample, indicating improved separation of electron hole pairs and reduced recombination rate. After fabrication of the TiO2-FeBTC MOF photoanode, the charge transfer kinetics were enhanced at TiO2-FeBTC MOF (6%) with Rp value of 966 Ω, as given by EIS studies. This led to high performance due to low charge resistance. Hence, high power conversion efficiency (PCE) value of 0.538% for TiO2-FeBTC (6%) was achieved, in comparison with other loadings. This was attributed to a relatively high surface area which allowed more charge shuttling and thus better electrical response. Conversely, upon increasing the FeBTC MOF loading to 8%, significant reduction in efficiency (0.478%) was obtained, which was attributed to sluggish charge transfer and fast electron-hole pair recombination rate. The TiO2-FeBTC (6%) may be a good candidate for use in DSSCs as a photoanode materials for improved efficiency.
RESUMO
In this article, we demonstrate the surface effect and optoelectronic properties of holmium (Ho(3+))-doped ZnO in P3HT polymer nanocomposite. We incorporated ZnO:Ho(3+) (0.5 mol% Ho) nanostructures in the pristine P3HT-conjugated polymer and systematically studied the effect of the nanostructures on the optical characteristics. Detailed UV-Vis spectroscopy analysis revealed enhanced absorption coefficient and optical conductivity in the P3HT-ZnO:Ho(3+) film as compared to the pristine P3HT. Moreover, the obtained photoluminescence (PL) results established the improvement of exciton dissociation as a result of ZnO:Ho(3+) nanostructures inclusion. The occurrence of PL quenching is the result of enhanced charge transfer due to ZnO:Ho(3+) nanostructures in the polymer, whereas energy transfer from ZnO:Ho(3+) to P3HT was verified. Overall, the current investigation revealed a systematic tailoring of the optoelectronic properties of pristine P3HT after inclusion of ZnO:Ho(3+) nanostructures, thus opening brilliant perspectives for applications in various optoelectronic devices.
RESUMO
We report the use of solution processed zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles as a buffer layer inserted between the top metal electrode and the photo-active layer in bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) organic solar cell (OSC) devices. The photovoltaic properties were compared for devices annealed before (Device A) or after (Device B) the deposition of the Al top electrode. The post-annealing treatment was shown to improve the power conversion efficiency up to 2.93% and the fill factor (FF) up to 63% under AM1.5 (100mW/cm(2)) illumination. We performed the depth profile/interface analysis and elemental mapping using the time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS). Signals arising from (27)Al, (16)O, (12)C, (32)S, (64)Zn, (28)Si, (120)Sn and (115)In give an indication of successive deposition of Al, ZnO, P3HT:PCBM and PEDOT:PSS layers on ITO coated glass substrates. Furthermore, we discuss the surface imaging and visualize the chemical information on the surface of the devices.
