Gearing towards the sustainable energy transformation, production, and storage using thermic modulated [Ce3+-Pr3+-Nd3+]:CsPbI2.7Br0.3 perovskite hetero-system

Abstract

Current investigation elucidates the first report on the designing, optimization, and applications of the lanthanide tri-doped CsPbI2.7Br0.3 establishing [Ce3+-Pr3+-Nd3+]:CsPbI2.7Br0.3 (CPN:CPVSK). This novel heterostructure remained optically active for 28 days with the narrowed band gap ranging between 1.65 and 1.7 eV. CPN:CPVSK was identified with the cubic phase and average crystallite size was 58.92 nm. The spin coated thin films were marked by excellent compactness and maximal covering. As photo-converter inside an entirely air-processed perovskite solar cell, CPN:CPVSK attained the efficiency of 17.92 % and 1.1 V of the open circuit voltage (Voc). CPN-CPVSK decked nickel foam electrode expressed moderate affinity towards production of oxygen while the pure hydrogen generation activity was remarkable with the overpotential and kinetic Tafel slope value of 143.1 mV and 119.7 mV dec−1, respectively. With an impressive electrochemical service life, this electrode was also characterized with the commendable charge storage with the unit capacity of 567 mAH g−1 and a negligible equivalent series resistance (Rs) i.e. 0.51 Ω. CPN:CPVSK is a sustainable and energy efficient choice which has prospects for use in the energy systems at practical scale for maximizing the efficiency and stability.