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Thesis
Attempted Bismuth Ferrite Sensitization of Nanostructured Titanium Dioxide and/or Zinc Oxide for Photovoltaic Applications
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
2010
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-3479
Abstract
Bismuth ferrite (BFO) is a 'mid-range' band gap, multiferroic (ferroelectric, antiferromagnetic) material of interest in numerous applications. Though its use in photovoltaic applications has been investigated with interesting result, such a material has not yet been used as a photovoltaic sensitizer/thin absorber in sensitized solar cell (SSC) or extremely thin absorber solar cell (eta-SC) devices. A band gap (E_g~2.2-2.8eV) within the visible light range (albeit high) makes BFO a potential candidate for such application. Moreover, BFO is ferroelectric (E_c ~500-600kV/cm, P_r = 60[mu]C/cm²), which provides the material with an internal electric field (which can be directed/'poled' towards one electrode or another in a(n) SSC/eta-device), which may provide an additional mechanism for either or both charge separation and transport. CuSCN/ZnO, CuSCN/TiO₂, CuSCN/Bi-Fe-Zn-O/ZnO, CuSCN/BFO/TiO₂ thin-film 'sandwich-like' structures were fabricated on transparent-conducting-oxide-glass (TCO) substrates, via combinations of electrodeposition and suspension or sol-gel (requiring 'high temperature' for crystallization) dip-coating, and characterized at various stages of production to assess material/phases present, optical absorbance characteristics, and preliminary electronic device performance. 'High-temperature' heat treatments in air or N₂ of Bi-Fe-Zn-O/ZnO samples result in films yielding crystalline non-BFO phases, while O₂ annealing of similar samples appear promising. BFO has been successfully crystallized on nearly-pure anatase TiO₂ synthesized/deposited two ways, as well as on F:SnO₂-glass. Moreover, BFO is found to enhance absorbency in at least a portion the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Such are promising signs that thin-absorber-PV devices based on either TiO₂ or ZnO may be viable for development in the near future.
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Details
- Title
- Attempted Bismuth Ferrite Sensitization of Nanostructured Titanium Dioxide and/or Zinc Oxide for Photovoltaic Applications
- Creators
- Jonadan Ando Burger
- Contributors
- Jonathan E. Spanier (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Materials (Science and) Engineering (Metallurgical Engineering) [Historical]; College of Engineering (1970-2026); Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 3479; 991014631952904721