Multifunctional n-type [Sm3+-Eu3+-Tm3+] - doped SnO2 semiconductor system steered electrochemical and photovoltaic efficiency enhancement in energy applications

Abstract

BackgorundCurrent study developed a sustainable and an efficient energy system by triply doping tin oxide (SnO2) host with the different lanthanides forming an n-type [Sm3+-Eu3+-Tm3+]: SnO2 heterostructure. MethodsNovel system was synthesized via chemical co-precipitation and thin films were fabricated. Significant findingsThe synergistic electronic coupling of the rare earth dopants and SnO2 host based heterostructure was marked by band gap reduction spanning in the range of 3.48 – 3.59 eV and an average particle size of 47.7 nm with tetragonal rutile geometry. Its electro-catalytic activity for producing O2 and H2 excelled over the conventional catalysts with lower overpotential for O2 / H2i.e. 260 and 143 mV and Tafel slope values of 89.8 and 66.9 mV dec−1, respectively. [Sm3+-Eu3+-Tm3+]: SnO2 is an auspicious electrode material for supercapacitors with the specific capacitance of 592.5 F g − 1 in 0.1 M NaCl, indicative of the characteristic pseudocapacitive behavior. This electrode is intact for an extended duration with the potential of acquiring higher current densities. Additionally, [Sm3+-Eu3+-Tm3+]: SnO2 electron transport layer in perovskite solar cell device ensued an efficiency of 14.23% and a fill factor of 66.94%. The improved photovoltaic parameters are expressive of the excellent connection between different layers enhancing the performance.