Influence of Mn-doping on the photocatalytic and solar cell efficiency of CuO nanowires

• Published in: Inorganic chemistry communications Vol. 76; pp. 71 - 76
• Main Authors: Iqbal, Muzaffar, Thebo, Akbar Ali, Shah, Aamir Hassan, Iqbal, Azhar, Thebo, Khalid Hussain, Phulpoto, Shahnawaz, Mohsin, Muhammad Ali
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01-02-2017
• Subjects: CuO; Nanowire; Photocatalyst; Rhodamine B; Wet chemical method; Nanowire; Rhodamine B; Wet chemical method; CuO; Photocatalyst
• ISSN: 1387-7003; 1879-0259
• DOI: 10.1016/j.inoche.2016.11.023

Pristine copper oxide (CuO) and manganese (Mn) doped CuO nanostructures with different ratios were synthesized via wet chemical method. As-prepared materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-rays (EDX), UV–Visible and emission spectroscopy. Further, the doped nanowires were employed in the hybrid solar cells in combination with P3HT and gave better current densities than their corresponding undoped counterparts. The photoactivity of synthesized materials was evaluated by the photocatalytic oxidation of Rhodamine B (RhB). The results showed that the 2% Mn doped CuO photocatalyst is highly photoactive than other corresponding undoped and doped CuO nanowires. The increase in solar cell efficiency and photocatalytic activity of the doped CuO nanowires is solely due to the improvement in the charge separation efficiency in the 2% Mn doped CuO nanowires.
Environment friendly and low cost method has been used to synthesize CuO nanowires with different doping concentrations of Mn. The photo activity of doped nanowires was evaluated by the photocatalytic oxidation of Rhodamine B (RhB). The results showed that the 2% Mn doped CuO photocatalyst is much highly photoactive than non-doped or highly doped CuO. Further, the doped nanowires were employed in the hybrid solar cells in combination with P3HT and gave better current densities than their corresponding undoped counterparts. [Display omitted]
•Growth mechanism of Mn doped CuO nanowires.•Effective degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) dye by doped CuO nanowires.•The doped nanowires in combination with P3HT were employed in the hybrid solar cells.