Nb-TiO2/P3HT hybrid solar cell: Oxide production and photovoltaic electrochemical characterization

Mix of oxides is an alternative method to enhance the photoelectrochemical parameters of solar devices. Nb inserted in TiO2 was prepared successfully by Pechini methodology and the oxide was used as electron transport material in P3HT organic solar device. TiO2 anatase/rutile was confirmed by XRD measurement and band gap determination combined with cyclic voltammetry measurement indicated the Nb sub states creation above TiO2 conduction band. IMVS and OCP decay diagram showed an increasing in electron lifetime of 0.4758 s-0.6645 s to the cell containing Niobium. The energy conversion efficiency to the cell based in 5% of Nb presented an improving about 25% when compared to bared TiO2, proving that this methodology is a promisor route to produce enhanced electron transport materials.

Automated summary

The study successfully prepared Nb inserted in TiO2 as an electron transport material for P3HT organic solar device. Results showed that the electron lifetime significantly increased in the cell containing Niobium, with an energy conversion efficiency improvement of about 25% compared to bare TiO2, demonstrating that this method is a promising route to produce enhanced electron transport materials.