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Enhanced photovoltaic performance of a dye sensitized solar cell with Cu/N Co-doped TiO2 nanoparticles

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Abstract

Pure and Copper/Nitrogen (Cu/N)-codoped TiO2 photoanodes with various Cu concentrations are prepared via sol–gel route for the photoanode application in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). All the prepared samples are characterized by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), UV–Vis spectroscopy (UV–VIS) and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). Addition of suitable amount of Cu and N content in TiO2 can alter its optical and electrical properties by extending absorption in the visible region and band gap reduction. The results show that some of the Ti sites are replaced by Cu atoms while O sites are occupied by N atoms. Upon adequate addition of Cu/N could lead to smaller particle size, higher specific surface area, increased dye adsorption and retarded charge carrier recombination. A significant improvement in the power conversion efficiency is observed in case of optimized 0.3 mol% Cu/N-doped TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) based DSSC. This optimized 0.3 mol% Cu/N-doped photoanode accomplished a best power conversion efficiency of 11.70% with a short circuit current density of 23.41 mA cm−2 which is 41% higher than that of the pure TiO2 photoanode based DSSC (6.82%).

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Acknowledgements

The Authors are thankful to Indian Nanoelectronics User Program (INUP) for availing financial support (project id-13DIT006) which is sponsored by DIT, MCIT, Government of India and department of Metallurgical Engineering and Materials science IITB. Authors are also thankful to V. Ganeshan, R. J. Choudhary, V. Deshpande and Mukul Gupta Scientists IUC-DAE CSR, Indore for providing guidance and lab support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, Prestige Institute of Engineering Management & Research, Indore, MP, 452001, India

    Mahesh Dhonde

  2. Department of Physics, Govt. Holkar Science College, Indore, MP, 452001, India

    Kirti Sahu & V. V. S. Murty

  3. Department of Metallurgical Engineering & Materials Science, Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay, Mumbai, MH, 40076, India

    Siva Sankar Nemala, Parag Bhargava & Sudhanshu Mallick

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  1. Mahesh Dhonde
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Correspondence to Mahesh Dhonde.

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Dhonde, M., Sahu, K., Murty, V.V.S. et al. Enhanced photovoltaic performance of a dye sensitized solar cell with Cu/N Co-doped TiO2 nanoparticles. J Mater Sci: Mater Electron 29, 6274–6282 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-018-8605-3

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