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Nwambaekwe KC, Ramoroka ME, Yussuf ST, Morudu TC, Ndipingwi MM, Iwuoha EI. Tb- and Eu-doped yttrium oxyselenides as novel absorber layers for superstrate thin-film photovoltaics: improved spectral optical absorption and green-red phosphor activation. Nanoscale 2023; 15:17147-17172. [PMID: 37853791 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr01162c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
To generate and deliver alternative sustainable energy in the face of the current energy crisis, new materials that can capture solar energy and transform it into other useful energies are required. Rare-earth (RE) oxychalcogenides are now being used more frequently as up/down-conversion materials in established photovoltaic (PV) devices to boost their PV performance. Here, through an efficient microwave assisted synthesis procedure, novel nanoplate/sheet shaped nanomaterials of yttrium oxyselenide (YOSe) and its analogues doped with Tb and Eu (YOSe:Tb and YOSe:Eu) were successfully synthesized. Analyses of the structure, stability, morphology, light absorption, and electrochemistry were performed. This work showed that the parent YOSe exhibited green (543 nm) and red (615 nm) emission luminescence when doped with Tb and Eu with a luminescence quantum yield (LQY) of 0.56 and 0.53 for YOSe:Tb and YOSe:Eu nanomaterials, respectively. The surface and material conductivity of YOSe improved with the addition of the dopant elements, with the best outcome shown in YOSe:Eu, according to electrokinetic research evidenced by the enhanced current peaks, reduced charge-transfer resistance (Rct) and low impedance magnitude (Zmag) through electrochemical experiments. These improvements were induced by the distinctive properties of the dopant elements. PCEs of 0.25%, 0.67%, and 1.20% were obtained for YOSe, YOSe:Tb, and YOSe:Eu-based PV devices, respectively, using the nanomaterials as novel absorber layers in a superstrate device design. Our results can initiate further exploitation of the doped host structure for effective down-conversion NIR luminescence for applications in PV devices and to boost the PV performance of existing solar cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelechi C Nwambaekwe
- Key Laboratory for NanoElectrochemistry, University of the Western Cape Sensor Laboratories (SensorLab), 4th Floor Chemical Sciences Building, University of the Western Cape, Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville 7535, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Morongwa E Ramoroka
- Key Laboratory for NanoElectrochemistry, University of the Western Cape Sensor Laboratories (SensorLab), 4th Floor Chemical Sciences Building, University of the Western Cape, Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville 7535, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Sodiq T Yussuf
- Key Laboratory for NanoElectrochemistry, University of the Western Cape Sensor Laboratories (SensorLab), 4th Floor Chemical Sciences Building, University of the Western Cape, Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville 7535, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Tshaamano C Morudu
- Key Laboratory for NanoElectrochemistry, University of the Western Cape Sensor Laboratories (SensorLab), 4th Floor Chemical Sciences Building, University of the Western Cape, Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville 7535, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Miranda M Ndipingwi
- Key Laboratory for NanoElectrochemistry, University of the Western Cape Sensor Laboratories (SensorLab), 4th Floor Chemical Sciences Building, University of the Western Cape, Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville 7535, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Emmanuel I Iwuoha
- Key Laboratory for NanoElectrochemistry, University of the Western Cape Sensor Laboratories (SensorLab), 4th Floor Chemical Sciences Building, University of the Western Cape, Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville 7535, Cape Town, South Africa.
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Ramaripa PS, Modibane KD, Makgopa K, Seerane OA, Maubane-Nkadimeng MS, Makhado E, Hato MJ, Ramoroka ME, Molapo KM, Balakrishnan D, Iwuoha EI. Fabrication, characterization, and photovoltaic performance of titanium dioxide/metal-organic framework composite. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jpap.2022.100142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022] Open
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Ndipingwi MM, Ikpo CO, Nwanya AC, Januarie KC, Ramoroka ME, Uhuo OV, Nwambaekwe K, Yussuf ST, Iwuoha EI. Engineering the chemical environment of lithium manganese silicate by Mn ion substitution to boost the charge storage capacity for application in high efficiency supercapattery. Electrochim Acta 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2022.140180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Ramoroka ME, Mdluli SB, John-Denk VS, Modibane KD, Arendse CJ, Iwuoha EI. Synthesis and Photovoltaics of Novel 2,3,4,5-Tetrathienylthiophene-co-poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) Donor Polymer for Organic Solar Cell. Polymers (Basel) 2020; 13:E2. [PMID: 33374983 PMCID: PMC7792595 DOI: 10.3390/polym13010002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
This report focuses on the synthesis of novel 2,3,4,5-tetrathienylthiophene-co-poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (TTT-co-P3HT) as a donor material for organic solar cells (OSCs). The properties of the synthesized TTT-co-P3HT were compared with those of poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl (P3HT). The structure of TTT-co-P3HT was studied using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). It was seen that TTT-co-P3HT possessed a broader electrochemical and optical band-gap as compared to P3HT. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was used to determine lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) and highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy gaps of TTT-co-P3HT and P3HT were found to be 2.19 and 1.97 eV, respectively. Photoluminescence revealed that TTT-co-P3HT:PC71BM have insufficient electron/hole separation and charge transfer when compared to P3HT:PC71BM. All devices were fabricated outside a glovebox. Power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 1.15% was obtained for P3HT:PC71BM device and 0.14% was obtained for TTT-co-P3HT:PC71BM device. Further studies were done on fabricated OSCs during this work using electrochemical methods. The studies revealed that the presence of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) on the surface of indium tin oxide (ITO) causes a reduction in cyclic voltammogram oxidation/reduction peak current and increases the charge transfer resistance in comparison with a bare ITO. We also examined the ITO/PEDOT:PSS electrode coated with TTT-co-P3HT:PC71BM, TTT-co-P3HT:PC71BM/ZnO, P3HT:PC71BM and P3HT:PC71BM/ZnO. The study revealed that PEDOT:PSS does not completely block electrons from active layer to reach the ITO electrode.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morongwa E. Ramoroka
- SensorLab (University of the Western Cape Sensor Laboratories), Chemical Sciences Building, Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville, Cape Town 7535, South Africa; (M.E.R.); (S.B.M.)
| | - Siyabonga B. Mdluli
- SensorLab (University of the Western Cape Sensor Laboratories), Chemical Sciences Building, Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville, Cape Town 7535, South Africa; (M.E.R.); (S.B.M.)
| | - Vivian S. John-Denk
- SensorLab (University of the Western Cape Sensor Laboratories), Chemical Sciences Building, Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville, Cape Town 7535, South Africa; (M.E.R.); (S.B.M.)
| | - Kwena D. Modibane
- Department of Chemistry, School of Physical and Mineral Science, University of Limpopo, Sovenga, Polokwane 0727, South Africa;
| | - Christopher J. Arendse
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, Cape Town 7535, South Africa;
| | - Emmanuel I. Iwuoha
- SensorLab (University of the Western Cape Sensor Laboratories), Chemical Sciences Building, Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville, Cape Town 7535, South Africa; (M.E.R.); (S.B.M.)
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Memela M, Feleni U, Mdluli S, Ramoroka ME, Ekwere P, Douman S, Iwuoha E. Electro‐photovoltaics of Polymer‐stabilized Copper–Indium Selenide Quantum Dot. ELECTROANAL 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/elan.202060392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Muziwenkosi Memela
- SensorLab University of the Western Cape Sensor Laboratories Robert Sobukwe Road Bellville 7535 Cape Town South Africa
| | - Usisipho Feleni
- Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability (iNanoWS), College of Science, Engineering and Technology University of South Africa P/Bag X6 Florida Campus 1710, Roodepoort Johannesburg South Africa
| | - Siyabonga Mdluli
- SensorLab University of the Western Cape Sensor Laboratories Robert Sobukwe Road Bellville 7535 Cape Town South Africa
| | - Morongwa E. Ramoroka
- SensorLab University of the Western Cape Sensor Laboratories Robert Sobukwe Road Bellville 7535 Cape Town South Africa
| | - Precious Ekwere
- SensorLab University of the Western Cape Sensor Laboratories Robert Sobukwe Road Bellville 7535 Cape Town South Africa
| | - Samantha Douman
- SensorLab University of the Western Cape Sensor Laboratories Robert Sobukwe Road Bellville 7535 Cape Town South Africa
| | - Emmanuel Iwuoha
- SensorLab University of the Western Cape Sensor Laboratories Robert Sobukwe Road Bellville 7535 Cape Town South Africa
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