Ni1-xFexMnO3 perovskite photoanodes for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs)

Abstract

Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs) are a sustainable way to meet the upsurge in the global energy demands substituting the burning of the fossil fuels. Ni1-xFexMnO3 (x = 0, 0.2, 0.5, 0.8, 1.0) perovskite nanoparticles have been synthesized and proposed as promising photoanodes in DSSCs in this study. The impressive optical properties of the synthesized perovskites and the surface morphologies of the perovskite thin films suggest their suitability as photoanodes for DSSC application. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the iron incorporated NiMnO3 photoanodes based DSSCs increases compared to that of the pristine NiMnO3 based DSSC. Ni0.2Fe0.8MnO3 based DSSC displays the highest PCE of 0.79% with high open-circuit voltage (VOC) of 0.95 V. The results indicate that the perovskite composition with 20% Ni and 80% Fe in the A-site is the optimal stoichiometry required for reaping the maximum efficacy with reduced charge transfer resistance among the materials proposed in this study. This is attributed to the synchronized alignment of the conduction band edge with the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of N3 dye sensitizer. It is worth noting that FeMnO3 based DSSC reaps the highest VOC of 1.02 V. The findings pave way for unconventional perovskite type materials to be applied as promising photoanodes for DSSCs yielding elevated VOC and PCE.