Exploring the impact of TiO2 microstructures fabricated via alcoholysis on the optical and electrical properties of α-quaterthiophene for photovoltaic applications

Abstract

In this study, we investigate the optical, photovoltaic, and structural properties of TiO₂ nanostructures produced by alcoholysis using various alcohols. An X-ray diffraction study highlights how the choice of alcohols affects the process by revealing variations and separation. The anatase phase is confirmed by Raman spectroscopy, which also sheds light on the effects of various alcohols. The granular nature of TiO₂ microstructures is demonstrated using scanning electron microscopy. We demonstrate how the size and shape of microstructures influence the band gap using absorption spectroscopy. Using fluorescence spectroscopy and Franck-Condon analysis, we investigated the performance of the α-Quaterthiophene + 40 % TiO₂ nanocomposite. Important parameters are then taken out of the analysis using the Franck-Condon technique. Studies on the photovoltaic performance of the α-Quaterthiophene + 40 % TiO₂ nanocomposite active layer show significant improvements in both open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current when TiO₂ nanostructures are incorporated. This demonstrates the enormous potential of TiO₂ nanostructures to improve solar cell applications’ efficiency. Self-assembly fabrication of TiO₂ microspheres via the alcolysis process and their effect on exciton dissociation in hybrid systems is a topic of interest in materials science and nanotechnology.