Strontium Doped TiO2 Nanostructures Prepared by Hydrothermal Method for Energy Conversion Applications

Abstract

Solar cells which are based on thin films have received great interest as an alternative to standard solar cells. They are potentially being cost-effective and efficient, with the nano scale controllability in their size, structure, and association. Nowadays, the world is facing an extreme reduction in the non-renewable energy sources. To overcome this issue, Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs) are considered as perfect energy sources. In this research, photo-anodes of the DSSCs were synthesized using nanostructures of un-doped titanium dioxide (TiO2) and strontium (Sr) doped TiO2 with 0.05 M concentration of Sr. These nanostructures were synthesized by the hydrothermal method. The thin films of these nanostructures were deposited on electrically conductive Fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) coated glass by doctor-blade method. After the preparation of photo-anodes, various analysis were performed using different characterization tools e.g., UV-Vis analysis, Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) to examine the various properties of material such as optical, electrical, and morphological properties. SEM results showed the surface morphology of prepared nanostructures and average particle size is 80-100 nm. UV-Vis analysis revealed the absorption spectra of both doped and undoped TiO2. Tauc plot was used to calculate the band gap value of undoped TiO2 that was 3.0 eV. Similarly, the band gap value of 0.05M Sr doped TiO2 was observed 2.90 eV. At the end cells were fabricated, to study its photovoltaic properties through simulation (J-V measurements). The results of this research showed that 0.05 M Sr doped TiO2 has efficiency (2.25%) and for undoped TiO2 nanostructures efficiency is (1.99%). ix