Colloidal Synthesis and Characterization of Molybdenum Chalcogenide Quantum Dots Using a Two-Source Precursor Pathway for Photovoltaic Applications
The drawbacks of utilizing nonrenewable energy have quickened innovative work on practical sustainable power sources (photovoltaics) because of their provision of a better-preserved decent environment which is free from natural contamination and commotion. Herein, the synthesis, characterization, an...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-07-01
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| Series: | Molecules |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/14/4191 |
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| author | Evernice Chikukwa Edson Meyer Johannes Mbese Nyengerai Zingwe |
| author_facet | Evernice Chikukwa Edson Meyer Johannes Mbese Nyengerai Zingwe |
| author_sort | Evernice Chikukwa |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The drawbacks of utilizing nonrenewable energy have quickened innovative work on practical sustainable power sources (photovoltaics) because of their provision of a better-preserved decent environment which is free from natural contamination and commotion. Herein, the synthesis, characterization, and application of Mo chalcogenide nanoparticles (NP) as alternative sources in the absorber layer of QDSSCs is discussed. The successful synthesis of the NP was confirmed as the results from the diffractive peaks obtained from XRD which were positive and agreed in comparison with the standard. The diffractive peaks were shown in the planes (100), (002), (100), and (105) for the MoS<sub>2</sub> nanoparticles; (002), (100), (103), and (110) for the MoSe<sub>2</sub> nanoparticles; and (0002), (0004), (103), as well as (0006) for the MoTe<sub>2</sub> nanoparticles. MoSe<sub>2</sub> presented the smallest size of the nanoparticles, followed by MoTe<sub>2</sub> and, lastly, by MoS<sub>2</sub>. These results agreed with the results obtained using SEM analysis. For the optical properties of the nanoparticles, UV–Vis and PL were used. The shift of the peaks from the red shift (600 nm) to the blue shift (270–275 nm and 287–289 nm (UV–Vis)) confirmed that the nanoparticles were quantum-confined. The application of the MoX<sub>2</sub> NPs in QDSSCs was performed, with MoSe<sub>2</sub> presenting the greatest PCE of 7.86%, followed by MoTe<sub>2</sub> (6.93%) and, lastly, by MoS<sub>2</sub>, with the PCE of 6.05%. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T09:30:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2517f95ae79c4cdb9b1d42f189dd4c2b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1420-3049 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T09:30:15Z |
| publishDate | 2021-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Molecules |
| spelling | doaj.art-2517f95ae79c4cdb9b1d42f189dd4c2b2023-11-22T04:29:57ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492021-07-012614419110.3390/molecules26144191Colloidal Synthesis and Characterization of Molybdenum Chalcogenide Quantum Dots Using a Two-Source Precursor Pathway for Photovoltaic ApplicationsEvernice Chikukwa0Edson Meyer1Johannes Mbese2Nyengerai Zingwe3Fort Hare Institute of Technology (FHIT), Private Bag X1314, Alice 5700, South AfricaFort Hare Institute of Technology (FHIT), Private Bag X1314, Alice 5700, South AfricaDepartment of Chemistry, University of Fort Hare, Alice 5700, South AfricaFort Hare Institute of Technology (FHIT), Private Bag X1314, Alice 5700, South AfricaThe drawbacks of utilizing nonrenewable energy have quickened innovative work on practical sustainable power sources (photovoltaics) because of their provision of a better-preserved decent environment which is free from natural contamination and commotion. Herein, the synthesis, characterization, and application of Mo chalcogenide nanoparticles (NP) as alternative sources in the absorber layer of QDSSCs is discussed. The successful synthesis of the NP was confirmed as the results from the diffractive peaks obtained from XRD which were positive and agreed in comparison with the standard. The diffractive peaks were shown in the planes (100), (002), (100), and (105) for the MoS<sub>2</sub> nanoparticles; (002), (100), (103), and (110) for the MoSe<sub>2</sub> nanoparticles; and (0002), (0004), (103), as well as (0006) for the MoTe<sub>2</sub> nanoparticles. MoSe<sub>2</sub> presented the smallest size of the nanoparticles, followed by MoTe<sub>2</sub> and, lastly, by MoS<sub>2</sub>. These results agreed with the results obtained using SEM analysis. For the optical properties of the nanoparticles, UV–Vis and PL were used. The shift of the peaks from the red shift (600 nm) to the blue shift (270–275 nm and 287–289 nm (UV–Vis)) confirmed that the nanoparticles were quantum-confined. The application of the MoX<sub>2</sub> NPs in QDSSCs was performed, with MoSe<sub>2</sub> presenting the greatest PCE of 7.86%, followed by MoTe<sub>2</sub> (6.93%) and, lastly, by MoS<sub>2</sub>, with the PCE of 6.05%.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/14/4191chalcogenidesmetalschemical synthesis |
| spellingShingle | Evernice Chikukwa Edson Meyer Johannes Mbese Nyengerai Zingwe Colloidal Synthesis and Characterization of Molybdenum Chalcogenide Quantum Dots Using a Two-Source Precursor Pathway for Photovoltaic Applications Molecules chalcogenides metals chemical synthesis |
| title | Colloidal Synthesis and Characterization of Molybdenum Chalcogenide Quantum Dots Using a Two-Source Precursor Pathway for Photovoltaic Applications |
| title_full | Colloidal Synthesis and Characterization of Molybdenum Chalcogenide Quantum Dots Using a Two-Source Precursor Pathway for Photovoltaic Applications |
| title_fullStr | Colloidal Synthesis and Characterization of Molybdenum Chalcogenide Quantum Dots Using a Two-Source Precursor Pathway for Photovoltaic Applications |
| title_full_unstemmed | Colloidal Synthesis and Characterization of Molybdenum Chalcogenide Quantum Dots Using a Two-Source Precursor Pathway for Photovoltaic Applications |
| title_short | Colloidal Synthesis and Characterization of Molybdenum Chalcogenide Quantum Dots Using a Two-Source Precursor Pathway for Photovoltaic Applications |
| title_sort | colloidal synthesis and characterization of molybdenum chalcogenide quantum dots using a two source precursor pathway for photovoltaic applications |
| topic | chalcogenides metals chemical synthesis |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/14/4191 |
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