Enhanced Efficiency of Dye Sensitized Solar Cell Using Eu Doped TiO₂-ZrO₂ Nanocomposite

Hydrothermal method was used to prepare TiO₂-ZrO₂ and Eu doped TiO₂-ZrO₂ nanocomposites for dye sensitized solar cell app lication.

X-ray diffraction was used to study the structural properties of prepared samples. Anatase and Rutile phases of TiO₂ and Monoclinic and tetragonal phases of ZrO₂ have been detected from XRD in prepared samples. The crystallite size of prepared samples lies between 6 to 18 nm. Absorption edge has been shifted to the longer wavelength region. The optical bandgap of TiO₂-ZrO₂ (2.15 eV) and Eu doped TiO₂-ZrO₂ nanocomposites (2.03 eV) have been calculated using Tauc's plot. A decrease in bandgap compared to pure TiO2 has been observed. The increased refractive index has been determined from UV -Visible spectra.

Because of the high refractive index photons can stay for longer period of time inside the material and then they can be used to generate electrons in dye sensitized solar cell. An attempt was made to prepare an inexpensive dye sensitized solar cell by replacing synthetic organic dye with natural dye (pomegranate juice) and platinum coated counter electrode by carbon coated electrode. The improvement in efficiency has been recorded for prepared samples and it has been found to be 0.71%, 1.97% and 6.25% for TiO2, TiO₂-ZrO₂ nanocomposite and Eu doped TiO₂-ZrO₂ nanocomposite respectively.

A simple and cost-effective DSSC prepared by materials is capable of producing a good amount photocurrent.