Abstract
Ho3+-doped strontium titanate (SrTiO3:Ho3+) downconversion (DC) nanocrystals are synthesized by the solid state interaction of titanium dioxide, strontium nitrate, holmium oxide and sodium chloride and then used as a photoanode in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) to investigate the effect of DC nanocrystals in DSSCs. Differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, scanning electronic microscope, energy dispersive spectroscopy and Brunauer–Emmet–Teller analysis confirmed the formation of cubic structured SrTiO3:Ho3+ nanocrystals with diameters of 40–400nm, pore size of ∼45nm, sintering temperature of 950°C. The photofluorescence and UV–Vis absorption spectra of the SrTiO3:Ho3+ nanocrystals revealed strong emission intensity and visible light absorption when doped content of holmium oxide was between 1wt% and 3wt%. Compared with the pure SrTiO3 photoanode, SrTiO3:Ho3+ DC photoanode showed a greater photovoltaic efficiency. The photoelectric conversion efficiency (η) of the DSSCs with a SrTiO3:Ho3+ photoanode doped with 1wt% holmium oxide was 59% higher than that with a pure SrTiO3 photoanode. This phenomenon could be explained by SrTiO3:Ho3+ nanocrystals’ ability to absorb ultraviolet light and downconvert it to visible light, which extends spectral response range of DSSC to the ultraviolet region and increased the short-circuit current density (Jsc) of DSSCs.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
