journal article·2021-08Open access

Tailoring Ordered Mesoporous Titania Films via Introducing Germanium Nanocrystals for Enhanced Electron Transfer Photoanodes for Photovoltaic Applications

Nian Li, Renjun Guo, Wei Chen, Volker Körstgens, Julian E. Heger, Suzhe Liang, Calvin J. Brett, Md Asjad Hossain, Jianshu Zheng, Peter S. Deimel, Ali Buyruk, Francesco Allegretti, Matthias Schwartzkopf, Jonathan G. C. Veinot, Guido Schmitz, Johannes V. Barth, Tayebeh Ameri, Stephan V. Roth, Peter Müller‐Buschbaum

Advanced Functional Materials· Volume 31· Issue 34

Abstract

Abstract Based on a diblock‐copolymer templated sol–gel synthesis, germanium nanocrystals (GeNCs) are introduced to tailor mesoporous titania (TiO2) films for obtaining more efficient anodes for photovoltaic applications. After thermal annealing in air, the hybrid films with different GeNC content are investigated and compared with films undergoing an argon atmosphere annealing. The surface and inner morphologies of the TiO2/GeOx nanocomposite films are probed via scanning electron microscopy and grazing‐incidence small‐angle X‐ray scattering. The crystal phase, chemical composition, and optical properties of the nanocomposite films are examined with transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. Special focus is set on the air‐annealed nanocomposite films since they hold greater promise for photovoltaics. Specifically, the charge–carrier dynamics of these air‐annealed nanocomposite films are studied, and it is found that, compared with pristine TiO2 photoanodes, the GeNC addition enhances the electron transfer, yielding an increase in the short‐circuit photocurrent density of exemplary perovskite solar cells and thus, an enhanced device efficiency as well as a significantly reduced hysteresis.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Perovskite Materials and Applications · Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques · Quantum Dots Synthesis And Properties

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle Materialien Physik‐Department Technische Universität München James‐Franck‐Str. 1 85748 Garching Germany

Deutsches Elektronen‐Synchrotron DESY Notkestr. 85 22603 Hamburg Germany

Department of Engineering Mechanics KTH Royal Institute of Technology Teknikringen 8 Stockholm 100 44 Sweden

Wallenberg Wood Science Center KTH Royal Institute of Technology Teknikringen 56–58 Stockholm 100 44 Sweden

Department of Chemistry University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta T6G 2E1 Canada

Institute of Materials Science University of Stuttgart Heisenbergstr. 3 70569 Stuttgart Germany

Physik‐Department Lehrstuhl für Molekulare Nanowissenschaften & Chemische Physik von Grenzflächen Technische Universität München James‐Franck‐Str. 1 85748 Garching Germany

Chair of Physical Chemistry Department of Chemistry University of Munich (LMU) Butenandtstr. 11 81377 Munich Germany

Department of Fibre and Polymer Technology KTH Royal Institute of Technology Teknikringen 56–58 Stockholm 100 44 Sweden

Heinz Maier‐Leibnitz Zentrum (MLZ) Technische Universität München Lichtenbergstr. 1 85748 Garching Germany

Funding

Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft · Canada First Research Excellence Fund · China Scholarship Council · Helmholtz Association · Canadian Network for Research and Innovation in Machining Technology, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada · Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kunst

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