Study of Electric Properties of rGO/Fe₃O₄ Nanocomposites and their Potential Applications as Counter Electrode of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract:

rGO/Fe₃O₄ nanocomposites were prepared through the solid-state technique by adjusting FeCl₂ and FeCl₃ volumes (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 ml). The structural, chemical, morphological, and optical properties of the nanocomposites were investigated using XRD, FTIR, SEM, and UV-Vis Spectroscopy. The synthesized rGO/Fe₃O₄ nanocomposite was deposited on an FTO substrate through drop coating to fabricate a CE plate, which was then tested using a solar simulator with FTO/TiO₂ serving as the photoanode. The XRD patterns of the rGO/Fe₃O₄ nanocomposite showed consistency with COD data number 3000327. Calculations using Debye's Scherrer equation demonstrated that Fe₃O₄ crystal size diminished as Fe₃O₄ concentration increased. The FTIR analysis confirmed the existence of C=C and Fe-O bonds, characteristic of rGO and Fe₃O₄ particles' functional groups. As FeCl₂ and FeCl₃ concentrations increased from 1 ml to 5 ml, the band gap energy of the rGO/Fe₃O₄ nanocomposite expanded from 3.14 eV to 3.39 eV. This band gap energy expansion correlated with improved DSSC solar cell performance, with efficiency increasing from 0.003% (RF1) to 0.097% (RF5), suggesting catalytic activity supporting electrolyte regeneration in DSSC solar cells.

• Periodical: Journal of Nano Research (Volume 88)
• Pages: 59-73
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-NG3kbL
• Online since: June 2025
• Authors: Anugrah Pratama Supriyono, Nadiya Miftachul Chusna, Arif Hidayat, Sunaryono Sunaryono*
• Keywords: Counter Electrode, Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells, Electric Properties, Photocatalytic Activity, rGO/Fe₃O₄ Nanocomposites

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