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In Situ Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles without Aggregation in the Interlayer Space of Layered Titanate Transparent Films
Published on: January 17, 2017
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Layer-by-layer assemblies of catechol-functionalized TiO2 nanoparticles and porphyrins through electrostatic
Alexandra Burger1, Rubén D Costa, Volodymyr Lobaz
1Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Institute of Organic Chemistry, Henkestrasse 42, 91054 Erlangen (Germany).
Chemistry (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|February 17, 2015
Summary
We successfully functionalized titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles using a novel organic molecule for enhanced stability. These stabilized nanoparticles were used to create layer-by-layer assemblies for novel solar cell construction, achieving 3% efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Photovoltaics
Background:
- Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles are widely used in various applications.
- Stabilization of nanoparticles is crucial for controlling their properties and preventing agglomeration.
- Developing efficient and stable materials for solar cells is an ongoing challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To functionalize and stabilize P-25 TiO2 nanoparticles using a custom-designed organic molecule.
- To create layer-by-layer (LbL) assemblies with functionalized TiO2 nanoparticles and porphyrin derivatives.
- To construct and evaluate novel solar cells based on these LbL assemblies.
Main Methods:
- Covalent grafting of an organic molecule with a catechol anchor onto TiO2 nanoparticles.
- Utilizing positively charged pyridine groups for electrostatic repulsion to prevent nanoparticle agglomeration.
- Fabrication of LbL assemblies through alternate deposition of functionalized TiO2 and negatively charged porphyrin derivatives.
- Characterization using thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic light-scattering, zeta potential, UV/Vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, ellipsometry, and profilometry.
Main Results:
- Successful functionalization and stabilization of TiO2 nanoparticles were confirmed by multiple characterization techniques.
- Stable LbL assemblies were formed via electrostatic interactions between functionalized TiO2 and porphyrins.
- Novel solar cells were constructed, demonstrating stable and repeatable photocurrents under illumination.
- Monochromatic incident photo-to-current conversion efficiencies of approximately 3% were achieved.
Conclusions:
- The developed organic molecule effectively functionalizes and stabilizes TiO2 nanoparticles.
- LbL assembly technique is viable for creating ordered nanostructures for photovoltaic applications.
- The fabricated solar cells show promising performance with potential for further optimization.
