Fabrication and characterization of TiO2@NbSe2 Nanocomposites for Application in Dye Sensitized Solar cell

Abstract

The third- generation solar cell, are based on a number of advanced concepts, including multiple exciton creation, redox reactions utility, up/down conversion, multi-junction, hot carrier collection and offer multiple advantages among all solar cell generations. Dyesensitized solar cells among them, are becoming a more powerful and effective kind of renewable energy. The goal of the current study is to create highly ordered anatase TiO2 nanoparticles and their composite with NbSe2 nanosheets in order to create an effective device. This thesis describes the use of sol gel reflux synthesis to create a visible-light active composite material consisting of 2D NbSe2 nanosheets and TiO2 nanoparticles. NbSe2 is added in different weight percentages relative to TiO2 nanoparticles: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50% to make composites In order to ascertain the morphology, phase, optical properties, electrical properities, imperfection and impurities of nanocomposites, the prepared samples are characterised using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–Vis spectroscopy, Current- voltage (IV) characteristic of photoanodes, Photoluminescence Spectroscopy (PL) techniques. From SEM, TiO2 nanoparticles can be seen on the surface of NbSe2 sheets in all of the samples in the secondary electron images. Both components are present in nanocomposites, according to XRD. The UV-Vis spectrum of NbSe2 nanosheets demonstrates its small band gap and capacity to absorb UV-Visible light. PL graphs shows the electrical characteristics of the TiO2@NbSe2 nanocomposite and the existence of flaws in semiconductor materials. The electrical properties are studies using IV plot of TiO2@NbSe2 composites on FTOs. The composite were employed in DSSCs in the configuration: FTO/bTiO2/TiO2 or TiO2@NbSe2/electrolyte/Pt and their efficiencies were measured The photoanodes demonstrated improved efficiency with reduced internal resistances and quicker transport times following the incorporation of 2D NbSe2 nanosheets into TiO2 nanoparticles. As a result, these photoanodes-equipped DSSCs produced large current densities at low electron-recombination rates. The DSSCs with 50% NbSe2 in TiO2 reflects a maximum power conversion efficiency of 3.31%, which is 21% higher than that for pure TiO2 based DSSCs. Findings show that, when compared to NbSe2 nanosheets and TiO2 nanoparticles separately, these novel TiO2/NbSe2 composite exhibited superior performance. These materials are suitable for various optoelectronic applications including photocatalysis, LEDs, photo detectors, and other optical and electrical devices.