Hydrothermal Preparation of Gd3+‐Doped Titanate Nanotubes: Magnetic Properties and Photovoltaic Performance

Hoda S. Hafez,M. Saif,M. S. A. Abdel-Mottaleb,James T. McLeskey,,T. Story,W. Knoff,I. S. Yahia

doi:10.1155/2009/240402

Abstract

Pure and Gd3+‐doped titanate nanotubes (TNTs) materials were synthesized by a hydrothermal method. Their morphology, optical properties, thermal stability, and magnetic properties were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), UV‐Vis spectroscopy, thermal analysis, and magnetic measurements. It was found that doping renders Gd3+‐TNT visible light active and results in smaller crystallite size and larger surface area as well as higher thermal stability compared to pure titanate nanotubes. The estimated magnetic moments point to presence of weak antiferromagnetic interaction. Application of the prepared Gd3+‐TNT for modifying conventional photoanodes in polymer solar cells was attempted. Preliminary results show slightly improved photovoltaic energy conversion efficiency in the devices containing the newly designed Gd3+‐doped nanotubes.

Highlights

After the innovative work of Kasuga et al [1], titanium dioxide and titanate nanotubes (TNTs) with large specific surface area and pore volume have gained promising and important prospect due to their fascinating microstructures and excellent properties [2]
The hybrid inorganic/polymer solar cell devices were fabricated as described in the literature [15] but with the addition of a TiO2 hole blocking layer (HBL) [16]
The transmission electron microscope (TEM) morphologies of the undoped and Gd3+-doped titanate nanotubes were shown in Figures 1(b) and 1(c)

Summary

Introduction

After the innovative work of Kasuga et al [1], titanium dioxide and titanate nanotubes (TNTs) with large specific surface area and pore volume have gained promising and important prospect due to their fascinating microstructures and excellent properties [2]. TiO2-derived nanotubes such as sodium titanate (NaxH1−xTi3O7, x ∼ 0.75) and hydrogen titanate (H2Ti3O7 or H3Ti5O11) prepared by a simple hydrothermal method are interesting partly due to their one-dimensional nanostructures, uniform nanochannel, electronic conductivity, and larger specific surface area [3]. This showed promise for applications such as photocatalysis, sensing, adsorbents, mesoporous catalyst, and a good candidate material for dye-sensitized solar cells [4]. The morphology, structure, thermal stability, and the magnetic properties of these titanate nanotubes doped with Gd3+ were described and discussed

Experimental

Results and Discussion

Conclusions