International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET)
e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 11 Issue: 05 | May 2024
p-ISSN: 2395-0072
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Graphene-dye nanocomposite for advanced solar cell applications: Combined experimental and theoretical study Prosenjit Choudhury1 Md. Nur Alam2, Ankana Karmakar3, Amitava Mandal4, Md.Rabiul Islam1* 1Department of Physics, Dr. Meghnad Saha College, Itahar-733128, India, 2Department of Physics, Raiganj University, Raiganj-733134, India
3,4Department of Chemistry, Raiganj University, Raiganj-733134, India
*Corresponding Author Name: Dr. Md.Rabiul Islam ----------------------------------------------------------------------***-----------------------------------------------------------------------Abstract In this work, a composite system comprised of Methyl Orange dye (MO) and reduced graphene oxide(rGO) system was designed and synthesized. Graphene has been synthesized from graphite flakes by oxidation using improved method. Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was obtained via simple reduction treatment of GO (graphene oxide) powder. rGO was utilized as non-fullerene acceptor material owing to its lower value of LUMO energy level. Furthermore, its exceptional electron accepting also supported by density functional theory-based calculation. An organic solar cell is fabricated using rGO together with Methyl Orange as standard donor material in ambient atmosphere. Photo response in photoconduction mode have been observed which increases with bias voltage. Investigation of dark I-V characteristics reveals trap charge limited conduction processes within the device. This sort of stable organic material can simply be utilized in fabricating organic solar cell and hence it can be used as one of the best alternatives as non-fullerene acceptor materials.
Keywords Organic solar cell, graphene-based organic nanomaterials, non-fullerene acceptor, dye-based acceptor at ambient temperature, DSSC, DFT
1. Introduction Need of the day is environment-friendly renewable energy production because advancement of civilization demands higher energy production. Conventional energy sources are comprised of fossil fuels and nuclear energy sources. Burning of fossil fuels produces green-house gases which in turn are responsible for global climate warming and related catastrophic events like extreme weather conditions, melting of ice in polar region etc. In addition, the resources of fossil fuels are limited. Nuclear reactors on the other hand possess the threat of radioactive- wastages. To help avoid these potential threats from conventional energy resources solar cell is the best alternative. Though inorganic solar cells are greatly being used now-adays, but these devices have the disadvantage of high processing cost. Organic photo-voltaic (OPV) emerged in 80’s as a possible replacement. Since the inception, organic solar cells grabbed the eye of scientific community. The primary benefits associated with using organic solar cells (OSC) are simple processing techniques, mechanical flexibility and large stock of materials that can be tailored to desired level of band gaps (here difference between LUMO and HOMO level) [1-9]. At present, the OPV technology is at 3rd generation. Now a days the most recent third generation solar cells include perovskite solar cells, polymer based solar cells, dye sensitized solar cells. Among these, the dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) has attracted much attention in worldwide due to its simple processing techniques, flexibility and low cost [10]. However, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) and long-term operational stability of DSSCs are not up to the mark for practical applications, in comparison to traditional silicon-based solar cells. Consequently, tremendous research efforts are going on to realize high performance and sustainable devices by introducing novel materials and new synthesis techniques. As a consequence of their remarkable optoelectronic, mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties, novel materials, particularly carbon-based ones like graphene and its derivatives, have the greatest possibility to replace or alter the traditional materials that are often used in the creation of the various DSSC components. Additionally, the recent use of graphene-based materials as photoanodes—transparent conducting anodes, semiconducting layers and dye-sensitizers, electrolytes and counter cathodes in DSSCs [11]. Graphene derivatives finds its application mostly as anodes [12-13] and Cathodes [14-17]. However, the utilization is somehow limited. Graphene may also be utilized as acceptor material [18-20]. For the dye component aromatic azo compound like Methyl
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