Enhanced performance of Mg and La co-doped TiO2(98%)-ZrO2(2%) photoanode for dye-sensitized solar cells

This study explores the effects of magnesium (Mg) and lanthanum (La) doping on the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) utilizing TiO2(98%)-ZrO2(2%) (TZ, TZM, and TZL) photoanodes. The photoanodes were fabricated using a spin-coating sol-gel method, followed by calcination at 400 degrees C. The structural, morphological, crystallographic, and optical properties of the proposed photoanode composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. The crystallite sizes of the synthesized thin films varied from 21.16 to 59.04 nm for the TZ, TZM, and TZL compositions. The current-voltage measurements of DSSCs based on TZL8 photoanode, cobalt sulfide-doped graphene counter electrode, and N719 dye revealed the highest efficiency of nearly 5.052%. The assembled DSSCs exhibited an open-circuit voltage of 0.74 V, a short-circuit current density of 9.964 mA/cm(2), and a fill factor of 0.685. The enhancement in open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current density could be attributed to the improved electronic and microstructures of the proposed photoanodes.