Ternary Nanocomposite as a Charge Transport Layer for High-Efficiency Perovskite Solar Cells

Article Preview

Abstract:

The convergence of escalating energy demand and finite fossil fuel reserves has created an urgent, global imperative for sustainable and renewable energy. Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have quickly become a leading contender in photovoltaics. Their appeal lies in superior optoelectronic properties, high light absorption capabilities, and cost-effective manufacturing, positioning them as a strong alternative to traditional silicon solar cells. However, significant challenges remain, particularly concerning efficiency, long-term stability, and the reproducibility of device performance. This research addresses these issues by focusing on the crucial role of electron transport materials (ETMs). An Ag/rGO/TiO2 ternary nanocomposite through a simple hydrothermal method, designed to function as a highly effective electron transport layer (ETL) in planar PSCs. When integrated into a PSC and measured under standard AM 1.5G (100 mW/cm²) conditions, the optimized Ag/rGO/TiO2 ETL delivered a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 8.72% ± 0.25% (based on an average of N=5 devices). The champion device showed a short-circuit current density (JSC​) of 14.98 mA/cm², an open-circuit voltage (VOC​) of 0.99 V, and a fill factor (FF) of 58.83%. This performance represents a notable improvement over the reference device using pristine TiO₂, which achieved a PCE of 6.56% ± 0.31% (JSC​ = 13.1 mA/cm², VOC​ = 0.95 V, and FF = 52.7%) under identical conditions. This enhancement confirms that the doped materials significantly improve photovoltaic performance by promoting efficient charge transport and suppressing recombination. This work outlines a straightforward and low-cost approach to creating advanced ETMs, which is a vital step toward the commercialization of next-generation perovskite devices.

You might also be interested in these eBooks

Info:

Periodical:

Pages:

65-74

Citation:

Online since:

May 2026

Export:

Price:

Permissions CCC:

Permissions PLS:

Сopyright:

© 2026 Trans Tech Publications Ltd. All Rights Reserved

Share:

Citation:

* - Corresponding Author

[1] Fatima, Q., A.A. Haidry, H. Zhang, A. El Jery, and M. Aldrdery, A critical review on advancement and challenges in using TiO2 as electron transport layer for perovskite solar cell, Materials Today Sustainability, 27 (2024) 100857.

DOI: 10.1016/j.mtsust.2024.100857

Google Scholar

[2] Singh, S., A.K. Tangra, and G.S. Lotey, Optical and Luminescence Properties of β-NaFeO2 Nanoparticles, Electronic Materials Letters, 14 (2018) 594-598.

DOI: 10.1007/s13391-018-0067-5

Google Scholar

[3] Zhao, W., P. Guo, J. Wu, D. Lin, N. Jia, Z. Fang, C. Liu, Q. Ye, J. Zou, Y. Zhou, and H. Wang, TiO2 Electron Transport Layer with p–n Homojunctions for Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells, Nano-Micro Letters, 16 (2024) 191.

DOI: 10.1007/s40820-024-01407-3

Google Scholar

[4] Shahzad Sadiq, M., M. Imran, A. Rafai, and M. Rizwan, Optimization of AG/RGO/TIO2 Nanocomposite for Peropvskite Solar Cells, Iranian Journal of Materials Science and Engineering, 21 (2024) 99-107.

Google Scholar

[5] Muthukumaran, K., V. Arjun, A. Nithya, S. Thangarasu, T.H. Oh, and S. Karuppuchamy, Fabrication of planar perovskite solar cells using ternary metal oxide nanocomposite as hole-transporting material, Energies, 16 (2023) 3696.

DOI: 10.3390/en16093696

Google Scholar

[6] Al-Shujaa, S., P. Zhao, D. He, B. Al-Anesi, Y. Feng, J. Xia, B. Zhang, and Y. Zhang, Improving the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells by refining the perovskite-electron transport layer interface and shielding the absorber from UV effects, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 16 (2024) 28493-28504.

DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c03329

Google Scholar

[7] Bouazzi, D., J. Wannassi, M.T. Caccamo, S. Magazù, N. Jaffrezic-Renault, H. Barhoumi, and B. Badraoui, Ultrasensitive electrochemical detection of glyphosate using a Pd-decorated Cit-HAP hybrid electrode, Microchimica Acta, 192 (2025) 1-19.

DOI: 10.1007/s00604-025-07665-1

Google Scholar

[8] Ahmad, A., J. Thiel, and S.I. Shah. Structural effects of niobium and silver doping on titanium dioxide nanoparticles. in Journal of Physics: Conference Series. 2007. IOP Publishing.

DOI: 10.1088/1742-6596/61/1/003

Google Scholar

[9] Mahdavi, H., M. Rezaei, L. Ahmadian-Alam, and M.M.J.K.J.o.C.E. Amini, A novel ternary Pd-GO/N-doped TiO2 hierarchical visible-light sensitive photocatalyst for nanocomposite membrane, 37 (2020) 946-954.

DOI: 10.1007/s11814-020-0533-2

Google Scholar

[10] Zhang, C., Q. Zhang, S. Kang, X. Li, and Y.J.I.J.E.S. Wang, Facile Synthesis of Hierarchically Porous Metal-TiO2/graphitic Carbon Microspheres by Colloidal Crystal Templating Method, 8 (2013) 8299-8310.

DOI: 10.1016/s1452-3981(23)12889-6

Google Scholar

[11] Wang, P., L. Han, C. Zhu, Y. Zhai, and S.J.N.r. Dong, Aqueous-phase synthesis of Ag-TiO2-reduced graphene oxide and Pt-TiO2-reduced graphene oxide hybrid nanostructures and their catalytic properties, 4 (2011) 1153-1162.

DOI: 10.1007/s12274-011-0165-2

Google Scholar

[12] Wang, P., Y. Tang, Z. Dong, Z. Chen, and T.-T.J.J.o.M.C.A. Lim, Ag–AgBr/TiO 2/RGO nanocomposite for visible-light photocatalytic degradation of penicillin G, 1 (2013) 4718-4727.

DOI: 10.1039/c3ta01042b

Google Scholar

[13] Liu, Y., R. Wang, and X.J.S.r. Yan, Synergistic effect between ultra-small nickel hydroxide nanoparticles and reduced graphene oxide sheets for the application in high-performance asymmetric supercapacitor, 5 (2015) 1-12.

DOI: 10.1038/srep11095

Google Scholar

[14] Dharma, J., A. Pisal, and C.J.A.N.S. Shelton, CT: PerkinElmer, Simple method of measuring the band gap energy value of TiO2 in the powder form using a UV/Vis/NIR spectrometer, (2009) 1-4.

Google Scholar

[15] Kafizas, A., X. Wang, S.R. Pendlebury, P. Barnes, M. Ling, C. Sotelo-Vazquez, R. Quesada-Cabrera, C. Li, I.P. Parkin, and J.R.J.T.J.o.P.C.A. Durrant, Where do photogenerated holes go in anatase: rutile TiO2? A transient absorption spectroscopy study of charge transfer and lifetime, 120 (2016) 715-723.

DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.5b11567

Google Scholar

[16] Ko, S., C.K. Banerjee, and J.J.C.P.B.E. Sankar, Photochemical synthesis and photocatalytic activity in simulated solar light of nanosized Ag doped TiO2 nanoparticle composite, 42 (2011) 579-583.

DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesb.2010.09.007

Google Scholar

[17] Dette, C., M.A. Pérez-Osorio, C.S. Kley, P. Punke, C.E. Patrick, P. Jacobson, F. Giustino, S.J. Jung, and K.J.N.l. Kern, TiO2 anatase with a bandgap in the visible region, 14 (2014) 6533-6538.

DOI: 10.1021/nl503131s

Google Scholar

[18] Nainani, R., P. Thakur, and M.J.J.M.S.E.B. Chaskar, Synthesis of silver doped TiO2 nanoparticles for the improved photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange, 2 (2012) 52-58.

Google Scholar

[19] Bezerra, P., R.P. Cavalcante, A. Garcia, H. Wender, M.A. Martines, G.A. Casagrande, J. Giménez, P. Marco, S.C. Oliveira, and A.J.J.o.t.B.C.S. Machulek, Synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic activity of pure and N-, B-, or Ag-doped TiO 2, 28 (2017) 1788-1802.

DOI: 10.21577/0103-5053.20170040

Google Scholar