Effect of calcination on the particle size of nano-Nb2O5 for development as photo-anode material in advanced generation DSSCs

Harnessing the solar energy through photovoltaic technologies has emerged as one of the most promising approaches to resolve the global energy crisis. Dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are attractive candidates in this regard, employing low cost, nontoxic materials and possess the potential to replace Si based solar technologies. Ceramic metallic oxides like Nb₂O₅ has the potential to be used as photo-anode material in DSSCs due to higher conduction band edge, greater open circuit voltage (Voc), smaller internal resistance and most importantly less charge recombination rate. Controlling the particle size of nanoparticles always remained in technological and scientific interest. In the current study, we have developed nanoparticles of Nb₂O₅ through wet chemistry route. X-ray Diffraction (XRD), X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), Particle Size Analyzer (PSA) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) techniques were used to characterize the microstructure and microchemistry of synthesized nanoparticles. XRD results revealed that the synthesized Nb₂O₅ crystal structure exhibited a crystalline orthorhombic phase. Scherrer equation was employed to determine the crystallite sizes which were in the range of 27.2nm to 52nm. X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) results confirmed the impurity free synthesis of nanoparticles. PSA affirmed the particles in nano-domain and SEM results validated the formation of spherical shaped nanoparticles in the range of 26-50 nm.