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Nanoparticles

Breakthrough in Nanoparticle Synthesis: Bio-Capped TiO2 Nanoparticles Boost DSSC Performance

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers at Banaras Hindu University have made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of nanoparticle synthesis. Utilizing Murraya koenigii (MK) leaf extract as a natural capping agent, the team successfully synthesized titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles with enhanced optical properties, crystalline nature, and morphology. The bio-capped TiO2 nanoparticles showed significant improvements in light-to-current conversion efficiency, outperforming un-capped TiO2 nanoparticles in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs).

Key Takeaways:

  • The research team utilized ultrasonication-assisted sol-gel method to synthesize TiO2 nanoparticles, employing MK extract as a capping agent, reducing and stabilizing agent during nanoparticle formation.
  • Characterization techniques, including UV-visible measurements, FTIR, XRD, HRTEM, and XPS analysis, were employed to analyze the optical properties, crystalline nature, morphology, purity, and size of the synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles.
  • The bio-capped TiO2 nanoparticles exhibited an increased optical band-gap (2.85-3.02 eV) compared to bare TiO2 (2.73 eV).
  • The crystallite size and particle size of capped TiO2 nanoparticles were found to be 8.74 nm and 9.2 nm, respectively, smaller than the un-capped TiO2.
  • BET analysis revealed that the capped TiO2 exhibited a higher specific surface area (95.394 m²g-1) compared to the un-capped TiO2 (90.601 m²g-1).
  • Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) studies showed reduced total internal charge transfer resistance in the case of MK-capped TiO2.
  • The DSSC fabricated with MK-capped TiO2 exhibited a significantly improved light-to-current conversion efficiency of 3.02 % (Jsc = 10.26 mA/cm² and Voc = 0.48 V) compared to un-capped TiO2 nanoparticles at 1.76 % (Jsc = 5.92 mA/cm² and Voc = 0.45 V).

Statistics:

  • Optical band-gap for MK-capped TiO2: 2.85-3.02 eV
  • Optical band-gap for bare TiO2: 2.73 eV
  • Crystallite size of capped TiO2 nanoparticles: 8.74 nm
  • Particle size of capped TiO2 nanoparticles: 9.2 nm
  • Specific surface area of capped TiO2: 95.394 m²g-1
  • Specific surface area of un-capped TiO2: 90.601 m²g-1
  • Light-to-current conversion efficiency of MK-capped TiO2: 3.02 %
  • Light-to-current conversion efficiency of un-capped TiO2: 1.76 %

Sources:

  • Bio-capped synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticle using Murraya koenigii leaf extract via ultrasonication assisted sol-gel method and its advanced DSSC performance. Next Materials, 2025, 8():100680.

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