‘Out of the glovebox’ studies of a multifunctional [Gd3+‐Ho3+‐Dy3+]:CsPbI2.7Br0.3 perovskite semiconductor system for energy applications

• Published in: Journal of chemical technology and biotechnology (1986) 2024-04, Vol.99 (4), p.830-841
• Main Authors: Jaffri, Shaan Bibi, Ahmad, Khuram Shahzad, Abrahams, Isaac, El‐marghany, Adel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: air stable; Catalysts; Electrolytic cells; Energy charge; energy efficiency; Energy gap; Exudation; Gadolinium; Glove boxes; Holmium; Hydrogen production; impedance; Optical activity; Perovskites; Photoelectricity; Photovoltaic cells; Service life; Solar cells; Solar energy; Tafel slope; Thin films; unit capacity
• ISSN: 0268-2575; 1097-4660
• DOI: 10.1002/jctb.7585

BACKGROUND This work deciphers the first report on the treble lanthanide‐doped perovskite heterosystem [Gd3+‐Ho3+‐Dy3+]:CsPbI2.7Br0.3 (GHD:C‐PVSK) and subsequently explores its prospects for solar cells, energy generation, and charge storage. RESULTS GHD:C‐PVSK remained optically active for a period of 28 days with a band gap energy of 1.62–1.76 eV. The developed perovskite material possesses cubic phase with typical ABX3 geometry and the subsequently deposited thin films have compact morphology. As a light absorber layer, a GHD:C‐PVSK‐based solution‐processed perovskite solar cell executed an efficiency of 15.11% and an improved fill factor of 71.25%. In electrocatalytic assays, GHD:C‐PVSK emerged as a bifunctional catalyst for oxygen and hydrogen generation with greater tendency towards pure hydrogen production, exuding overpotential (ηHER) – that is, 143 mV and 123.4 mV dec−1 of the Tafel slope value. With a remarkable service life of 100 min inside the electrolyte, the GHD:C‐PVSK electrode was characterized by its excellent charge storage. It has a unit capacity of 383 mA h g−1 and is marked by reduced equivalent series resistance (Rs) of 0.66 Ω. CONCLUSION Through photoelectrical and electrical analysis, GHD:C‐PVSK has emerged as a sustainable and energy‐efficient material that can be stabilized by suitable thermal modulation and lanthanide doping. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).