Green synthesis and characterization of metal ions-mixed titania for application in dye-sensitized solar cells |
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Authors: | Muhammad Nadeem Asghar Aneela Anwar Hafiz Muhammad Abdur Rahman Sammia Shahid Iram Nadeem |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Chemistry, Forman Christian College (A Chartered University), Lahore, Pakistan;2. nadeemasghar@fccollege.edu.pk;4. Department of Basic Science and Humanities, University of Engineering and Technology, KSK Campus, Lahore, Pakistan;5. Department of Chemistry, Government College Women University, Sialkot, Pakistan;6. Department of Chemistry, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan;7. Department of Chemistry, COMSATS University Lahore Campus, Lahore, Pakistan |
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Abstract: | AbstractThe objective of the present study is to synthesize various metal ions mixed TiO2 nanoparticles using a continuous hydrothermal synthesis pilot reactor for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). In the pilot plant, aqueous solutions of the metal salts are mixed with a flow of supercritical water (450?°C and 24.1?MPa) in a confined jet mixer for continuous synthesis of metal ions-mixed nano-titania. Characterization of the particles was made using Brunauer–Emmett–Teller technique for specific surface area, powder X-ray diffraction analysis and transmission electron microscopy for identification and crystallite size, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy for surface analysis and infrared spectroscopy for distinct group identification. Following the already existing procedures and using the titanates synthesized, dye-sensitized cells of 1?cm2 area were assembled and their photovoltaic parameters were evaluated under standard test conditions. The power conversion efficiencies (η %) for 40?mol % Zn2+, 5?mol % Zr4+ and 10?mol % Zn4+ titania were obtained to be 4.8, 4.95 and 4.9, respectively. The promising efficiency results from a greener and large-scale production of nano-titania is a step forward towards commercializing DSC technology. |
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Keywords: | Continuous hydrothermal synthesis titania dye-sensitized solar cells |
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