Analysis on down converting Sm3+-incorporated TiO2 mesoporous nanostructures for DSSC applications

Abstract

The Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs) gaining scientific interest due to its immense property of increased photoelectric conversion efficiency. It may be deficient in the effective utilization of the UV and NIR component of the solar spectrum. The inimitable Titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) nanostructures have been highly admired as a significant photoanode material for Dye Sensitized Solar Cells. In this study, the effective down conversion ability of the lanthanide Sm 3? incorporated TiO 2 nanoparticles has been elucidated by the structural, morphological and optical analysis of the bare and doped samples prepared via modified sol-gel method. The anatase phase of the bare TiO 2 exhibits a gradual change to the orthorhombic brookite phase in Sm3? incorporated sample. The mesoporous nanoparticulates of the Sm 3? incorporated TiO 2 shows a lower binding energy than the undoped sample. The PL analysis demonstrates that the Sm 3? doping converts the UV absorption to three strong orange-red emission lines (580, 613 and 665 nm) along with the broad host emission peak of TiO 2 at 435 nm, which can be directly synchronized with the absorption wavelengths of N719 dye. The rare earth Sm 3? ion substitution in the bare TiO 2 is an effective strategy on the enhancement of photo catalytic activity of TiO 2 nanostructure by the additional UV energy harvesting from the solar spectra.