Dye sensitized solar cell applications of CdTiO3–TiO2 composite thin films deposited from single molecular complex

• Published in: Journal of solid state chemistry 2015-10, Vol.230, p.155-162
• Main Authors: Ehsan, Muhammad Ali, Khaledi, Hamid, Pandikumar, Alagarsamy, Huang, Nay Ming, Arifin, Zainudin, Mazhar, Muhammad
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aerosol assisted chemical vapor deposition; CdTiO3–TiO2 composite; Dye sensitized photoanode; Single source; Thin film
• ISSN: 0022-4596; 1095-726X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jssc.2015.06.041

A heterobimetallic complex [Cd2Ti4(μ-O)6(TFA)8(THF)6]·1.5THF (1) (TFA=trifluoroacetato, THF=tetrahydrofuran) comprising of Cd:Ti (1:2) ratio was synthesized by a chemical reaction of cadmium (II) acetate with titanium (IV) isopropoxide and triflouroacetic acid in THF. The stoichiometry of (1) was recognized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, spectroscopic and elemental analyses. Thermal studies revealed that (1) neatly decomposes at 450°C to furnish 1:1 ratio of cadmium titanate:titania composite oxides material. The thin films of CdTiO3–TiO2 composite oxides were deposited at 550°C on fluorine doped tin oxide coated conducting glass substrate in air ambient. The micro-structure, crystallinity, phase identification and chemical composition of microspherical architectured CdTiO3–TiO2 composite thin film have been determined by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The scope of composite thin film having band gap of 3.1eV was explored as photoanode for dye-sensitized solar cell application. Microspherical designed CdTiO3–TiO2 composite oxides photoanode film has been fabricated from single source precursor [Cd2Ti4(μ-O)6(TFA)8(THF)6]·1.5THF via aerosol assisted chemical vapor deposition technique for dye sensitized solar cell application. [Display omitted] • Synthesis and characterization of a heterobimetallic Cd–Ti complex.• Fabrication of CdTiO3–TiO2 thin film photoelectrode.• Application as dye sensitized photoanode for solar application.