Effects of Nd-doping on optical and photovoltaic properties of barium titanate thin films prepared by sol-gel method

Nd-doped barium titanate thin films were prepared via sol-gel spin-coating method and effects of Nd content on microstructure, optical and photovoltaic properties have been investigated. The results show that Nd-doped barium titanate thin films are single tetragonal perovskite phase. Addition of neodymium to some extent can inhibit the grain growth. Substitution of Nd3+ ions for Ba2+ on A sites leads to the decrease of band gap. The remnant polarization begins to increase and reach the maximum and then decreases as Nd content increases. The short circuit photocurrent density, open circuit photovoltage and power conversion efficiency of Nd-doped barium titanate thin films begin to increase and reach the maximum and then decrease as Nd content increases. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.