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Synthesis and characterization of sodium titnate (NA2TI6O13) nanorods based photoanode for dye-sensitized solar cells / Sandhia Bai

By:

Sandhia Bai [author.]

Material type: Text

text
text

Media type:

unmediated
computer

Carrier type:

volume
computer

ISBN:

THE0009397 (Local)

Subject(s):

Dissertation note: Thesis (Master of Science) -- Universiti Malaysia Pahang – 2022 Abstract: Dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) offer promising alternatives to silicon solar cells because of their cost-effective manufacture and relatively better efficiency. However, the problem associated with DSSC technology includes their poor efficiency and low stability. Some of the specific problems with of TiO2 semi-conductor based photoanode include charge recombination at the boundary of photoanode due to poor electron mobility, low dye loading and small specific surface area that limits electron transport leading to reduction in its lifetime. Changing the morphology of photoanode material by doping with different cationic/anionic elements have been identified as potential solution to such problem. The aim of this study is to synthesize and characterize sodium titanite (Na2Ti6O13) nanorod based photoanode materials to enhance photovoltaic conversion efficiency (PCE), output voltage, and current of the DSSC device. For this purpose, nanorods of Na2Ti6O13 has been synthesized through hydrothermal autoclave method; thereafter, the material is characterized through field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Electron transport and incident light scattering ability of the fabricated hetero junction photoanode material have been studied using UV-visible and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Electrochemical impedance (EIS) of the DSSC device has been analyzed using a computer interfaced EIS analyser of model Metrohm Autolab PGSTAT-204. On the other hand, photovoltaic performance including I-V curves, open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current, fill factor has been examined in an indoor solar simulator. Experimental results show that the DSSC assembled with Na2Ti6O13 nanorod photoanode exhibits a PCE of 6.13% under illumination of 1000 W/cm2 whereas a TiO2-based photoanode displays only 4.85% efficiency. Compared to bare TiO2 nanotube arrays DSSCs with a Na2Ti6O13 nanorod based photoanode have shown an improved photoelectrochemical performance. Furthermore, light absorption and impedance spectra displayed improved light absorption activity and electron transfer capability. It is anticipated that such successful synthetic approach might promote titanate structures for application in DSSC to realize improved performance.

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Holdings ( 2 )
Title notes ( 4 )

Holdings
Item type	Current library	Collection	Call number	Copy number	Status	Date due	Barcode
Restricted Collection	UMPLIB PEKAN	Reference	FTKMA .S26 2022 r Thesis (Browse shelf(Opens below))	1	Not for loan (Restricted access)		T000002068
Restricted Collection	UMPLIB PEKAN	Reference	CD13201 (Browse shelf(Opens below))	1	Not for loan (Restricted access)		T000002069

Faculty of Mechanical & Automotive Engineering Technology

Thesis (Master of Science) -- Universiti Malaysia Pahang – 2022

Includes bibliographical reference

Dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) offer promising alternatives to silicon solar cells because of their cost-effective manufacture and relatively better efficiency. However, the problem associated with DSSC technology includes their poor efficiency and low stability. Some of the specific problems with of TiO2 semi-conductor based photoanode include charge recombination at the boundary of photoanode due to poor electron mobility, low dye loading and small specific surface area that limits electron transport leading to reduction in its lifetime. Changing the morphology of photoanode material by doping with different cationic/anionic elements have been identified as potential solution to such problem. The aim of this study is to synthesize and characterize sodium titanite (Na2Ti6O13) nanorod based photoanode materials to enhance photovoltaic conversion efficiency (PCE), output voltage, and current of the DSSC device. For this purpose, nanorods of Na2Ti6O13 has been synthesized through hydrothermal autoclave method; thereafter, the material is characterized through field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Electron transport and incident light scattering ability of the fabricated hetero junction photoanode material have been studied using UV-visible and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Electrochemical impedance (EIS) of the DSSC device has been analyzed using a computer interfaced EIS analyser of model Metrohm Autolab PGSTAT-204. On the other hand, photovoltaic performance including I-V curves, open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current, fill factor has been examined in an indoor solar simulator. Experimental results show that the DSSC assembled with Na2Ti6O13 nanorod photoanode exhibits a PCE of 6.13% under illumination of 1000 W/cm2 whereas a TiO2-based photoanode displays only 4.85% efficiency. Compared to bare TiO2 nanotube arrays DSSCs with a Na2Ti6O13 nanorod based photoanode have shown an improved photoelectrochemical performance. Furthermore, light absorption and impedance spectra displayed improved light absorption activity and electron transfer capability. It is anticipated that such successful synthetic approach might promote titanate structures for application in DSSC to realize improved performance.