KNbO₃ photoelectrode for DSSC: a structural, optical and electrical approach

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Renewable Energy

Background:

• Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) require efficient photoelectrode materials.
• Developing alternative materials to traditional ones is crucial for advancing solar cell technology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate potassium niobate (KNbO₃) nanoparticles as a mesoporous photoelectrode for DSSCs.
• To evaluate the photovoltaic performance of DSSCs utilizing KNbO₃ photoelectrodes.

Main Methods:

• Microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis of KNbO₃ nanoparticles.
• Characterization using SEM, XRD, Raman, and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy.
• Assembly of DSSCs with KNbO₃ nanoparticles on a TiO₂ blocking layer.

Main Results:

• KNbO₃ nanoparticles exhibited a pyramidal tower-like shape and orthorhombic structure.
• An indirect bandgap of (3.0 ± 0.1) eV was determined for the KNbO₃ particles.
• The DSSCs achieved a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 1.17% with a short-circuit current density (Jsc) of 2.82 mA, open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 669 mV, and fill factor (FF) of 0.62.

Conclusions:

• The synergistic operation between the TiO₂ blocking layer and KNbO₃ photoelectrode is vital for photovoltaic behavior.
• Potassium niobate nanoparticles are a suitable alternative photoelectrode material for DSSCs, demonstrating elevated performance parameters compared to other materials.