Synthesis and characterization of α-Fe2O3 Nanoparticles and α-Fe2O3 /TiO2 Nanocomposite and application them in a solar cell

Abstract

Abstract: Nanostructures of metal oxides of TiO2 and α-Fe2O3 are prepared through the hydrothermal method. Also α-Fe2O3/TiO2nanocomposites are prepared by the hydrothermal technique using an and α-Fe2O3 /TiO2 nanocomposites are mixed in the equal ratio. The properties of the prepared compounds are investigated through Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). The optical properties of prepared compounds are studied through UV-Vis Spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction patterns of prepared TiO2, and α-Fe2O3 have shown a( monoclinic structure, Tetragonal, and Hexagonal ) respectively. The optical band gap is (3.0, 1.6 and 2.7) eV for TiO2, α-Fe2O3 NPs and CuO/TiO2/α-Fe2O3nanocomposites. Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) fabricated based on TiO2, α-Fe2O3 NPs and α-Fe2O3 /TiO2/ nanocomposites are casted onto (FTO) substrates (front electrode). while the back electrode is a carbon/FTO-glass substrate. Two natural dyes of dyes are used green leek dye and red pomegranate dye whereas iodine/ iodide (KI/I2) is used as the electrolyte solution.. The solar cells efficiency rates (0.65, 1.38 and 0.96) for TiO2, α-Fe2O3 Nps and α-Fe2O3 /TiO2/ nanocomposites/re d pomegranate dye respectively. and The solar cells' efficiency rates are (0.69, 1.93 and1.29) for TiO2, and α-Fe2O3 /TiO2/ nanocomposites/ green leek dye respectively