Synthesis and characterization of Se nanostructures via co-precipitation, hydrothermal, microwave and sonochemical routes using novel starting reagents for solar cells

Abstract

Herein, selenium (Se) products were successfully synthesized via four different synthesis routes, co-precipitation, hydrothermal, microwave and sonochemical routes, involving selenium tetrachloride as a selenium source and hydrazine, potassium borohydride, and thioglycolic acid (TGA) as reducing reagents. TGA can be easily oxidized to the corresponding disulfide [SCH₂CO₂H]₂, which can reduce SeCl₄ to Se. To our knowledge, it is the first time that TGA was used as reducing agent for the synthesis of Se nanostructures. The obtained Se was characterized by XRD, SEM, EDS, and DRS. Furthermore, the effects of the reducing agent as well as solvent, NaOH and type of preparation method on the morphology and particle size of the products were investigated. Selenium thin film was deposited on the FTO–TiO₂ by Dr-blading technique and it was utilized into solar cell and measured open circuit voltage (V_oc), short circuit current (J_sc), and fill factor (FF). The studies showed that preparation method play crucial role on particles morphology and size. Accordingly various efficiencies of obtained nanostructures will be achieved for solar cell applications.