Simple and rapid methods based microwave and sonochemistry for synthesizing of tellurium nanostructures using novel starting reagents for solar cells

Abstract

Herein, tellurium (Te) nanostructures were successfully synthesized via microwave and sonochemical routes in which tellurium tetrachloride as a tellurium source and hydrazine, potassium borohydride, and thioglycolic acid (TGA) as reducing reagents were used. TGA can be easily oxidized to the corresponding disulfide [SCH2CO2H]2, which in turn can reduce TeCl4 to Te. The obtained Te was characterized by XRD, SEM, EDS, and DRS. Additionally, the effects of reducing agent as well as solvent and surfactant on morphology and size of the products were studied. Tellurium thin film was deposited on the FTO–TiO2 by Dr-blading then employed to solar cell application and measured open circuit voltage (Voc), short circuit current (Isc), and fill factor were determined as well. The studies showed that preparation method play crucial role on particle morphology and sizes. As result, various solar cell efficiencies will be achieved for the obtained nanostructures.