Improving energy harvesting efficiency of dye sensitized solar cell by using cobalt-rGO co-doped TiO2 photoanode
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-25-2022
Abstract
In dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), TiO2 has long been a popular electron transport material for carrying photo-generated electrons from the dye to the outer circuit. However, increasing the electrical conductivity of TiO2 while preserving its properties is one of the most significant challenges for increasing DSSC effi-ciency. Here, cobalt-reduced graphene oxide co-doped TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized by a modified sol-gel procfess that together controlled the particle size as well as narrowed bandgap of nanoparticles as determined by XRD and UV-Vis absorption measurements. The SEM and TEM were used to perform in-depth morphological characterization of the newly synthesized nanocomposites while J-V (current-voltage) curves, EIS Nyquist curves, and incident photon to current conversion efficiency (IPCE) spectra were used to examine the photovoltaic parameters. Enhanced short circuit current density (Jsc 12.83 mA cm-2), open -circuit voltage (Voc 0.618 V) and overall power conversion efficiency (PCE, eta = 5.24%) of DSSC was obtained with Co/rGO co-doped TiO2 based photoanode in comparison to bare TiO2 (eta = 3.71%), cobalt doped TiO2 (eta = 4.09%) and rGO doped TiO2 (eta = 4.43%) based DSSCs. Huge improvement in efficiency, 41% higher PEC in Co/rGO co-doped TiO2, was attributed to better utilization of visible radiations, greater dye adsorption and enhancement in charge transfer properties by suppressing the electron transport resistances. The in-corporation of rGO improved electron transfer, which compensated for recombination losses, thereby in-creasing the DSSC's Jsc. The synergetic role of rGO and transition metal helped in keeping the structure intact in the nano-assembly that enhance the photo-generated carriers. (c) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Keywords
Titania, Reduced graphene oxide, Adsorption, Solar cell
Divisions
Science
Funders
Deanship of Scientific Research (DSR) at King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia [No.KEP 39-130-42],Higher Education Commission of Pakistan [112-24036-2PS1-357]
Publication Title
Journal of Alloys and Compounds
Volume
891
Publisher
Elsevier
Publisher Location
PO BOX 564, 1001 LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND