ABSTRACT

Swift heavy ions (SHI) have found substantial use in the research and technology of materials analysis and modification. TiO2 thin films are of great interest and there is a need to optimize its property for a given application such as solar cells, sensor, and electrochromic materials.

Description
Swift heavy ions (SHI) have found substantial use in the research and technology of materials analysis and modification. TiO2 thin films are of great interest and there is a need to optimize its property for a given application such as solar cells, sensor, and electrochromic materials. Engineering of a perfect TiO2 compact layer, known as blocking layer, is a very important part of the perovskite solar cell or dye sensitised solar cell fabrication since the interface between TiO2 and FTO plays a significant role in power conversion efficiency. Blocking layer helps in electron transportation and reduces the electron recombination losses.  Different materials have been investigated for this purpose e.g., ZnO, sandwich layer, TiO2 embedded in an insulating polymer-derived ceramic, Graphene oxide mixed TiO2 and hybrid blocking layer. Properties of these oxide materials and their nano-composite can be tailored using Swift heavy ions. SHI irradiated transparent conducting oxide films have reported significant improvement in the adhesion as well as changes in optical, electrical, & structural properties and contact to the substrate. Therefore, in the present project, it is expected that SHI will improve the TiO2 adhesion to the substrate and also helps in blocking the back travel of the electrons which will eventually enhance the solar cell efficiency.

This project is funded by the Inter-University Accelerators Centre (IUAC).

Other Members: Pawan Kulriya (IUAC) 

Keywords: Chemical and Materials Engineering: Energy Engineering, Nanotechnology