Fabrication of a New Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Using CuO/TiO2 Nanocomposite Synthesized via an Electrochemical Technique

Abstract

Various standard methods have previously been used for the synthesis of nanoparticles that produce unhealthy waste. They are also considered unsafe and expensive methods. An alternative technology is needed to synthesize nanoparticles that consume less energy and are more environmentally friendly. In this research, a CuO/TiO2 nanocomposite has been synthesized with a mole ratio of 1.5:1, which produces good energy and no environmental pollution using an easy and fast method (electrochemical). The morphology and structure of the nanocomposite were examined using TEM, FESEM, AFM, and FTIR. The particle size of the CuO/TiO2 nanocomposites was found to range between 10.52 and 88.10 nm, while optical properties were diagnosed using UV-visible spectroscopy since its measurements showed the amount of gap energy (3.08 eV). The structure of the nanocomposite was demonstrated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), where the mixed anatase and rutile phases were observed for TiO2, while the monoclinic (tenorite) phase was observed for CuO. Additionally, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have been fabricated from CuO/TiO2 nanocomposite, which was synthesized by a new green method, and pigments (methylene blue as a chemical dye and chlorophyll as a natural dye). These DSSCs were characterized by their high ability to absorb ultraviolet energy, where the efficiency of energy conversion ɳ of ITO-CuO/TiO2 was approximately 2.62 and 3.87% with chlorophyll (a natural dye) and methylene blue (a chemical dye), respectively, where ɳ of ITO-CuO/TiO2 with methylene blue is the best.