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<p>Developing efficient, low-cost, and sustainable photoanode materials remains a major challenge for improving the photovoltaic performance and long-term stability of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). In this work, eco-friendly zinc cobalt oxide (ZnCo<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>) nanoparticles and zinc aluminum layered double hydroxide (ZnAl-LDH) nanosheets were successfully synthesized using <i>Carica papaya</i> leaf extract and employed as advanced photoanode materials for DSSC applications. The structural, morphological, optical, and electrochemical properties of the prepared materials were systematically investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analyses. The synthesized ZnAl-LDH exhibited a high surface area of 102.5 m<sup>2</sup>&#xa0;g<sup>–1</sup> with mesoporous architecture favourable for enhanced dye adsorption and charge transport. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis revealed low charge-transfer resistance (<i>R</i><sub><i>ct</i></sub> = 2.81 Ω) and high double-layer capacitance (<i>C</i><sub><i>dl</i></sub> = 39.5 mF cm<sup>–2</sup>), indicating efficient interfacial charge transfer. The fabricated DSSC based on ZnAl-LDH achieved a maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 7.9 ± 0.5% with an open-circuit voltage (<i>V</i><sub><i>OC</i></sub>) of 0.812&#xa0;V, short-circuit current density (<i>J</i><sub><i>SC</i></sub>) of 15.11&#xa0;mA&#xa0;cm<sup>–2</sup>, and fill factor (FF) of 0.65, outperforming ZnCo<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>, titanium dioxide (TiO<sub>2</sub>), and P25 photoanodes. Furthermore, the device exhibited excellent long-term stability with nearly 95–98% retention after continuous illumination. The enhanced photovoltaic performance is mainly attributed to the synergistic effects of high surface area, mesoporosity, and rapid charge transport within the ZnAl-LDH nanosheet framework.</p>

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Dual-functional ZnCo2O4 and ZnAl-LDH nanomaterials: bioengineered platforms for sustainable energy and environmental applications

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月5日

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  • Amruta Ramdas Sane,
  • V. Saravanan,
  • A. Mosses,
  • S. Ramesh,
  • Sunil Devidas Bobade,
  • Ch. Raja,
  • S. Sevvanthi

摘要

Developing efficient, low-cost, and sustainable photoanode materials remains a major challenge for improving the photovoltaic performance and long-term stability of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). In this work, eco-friendly zinc cobalt oxide (ZnCo2O4) nanoparticles and zinc aluminum layered double hydroxide (ZnAl-LDH) nanosheets were successfully synthesized using Carica papaya leaf extract and employed as advanced photoanode materials for DSSC applications. The structural, morphological, optical, and electrochemical properties of the prepared materials were systematically investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analyses. The synthesized ZnAl-LDH exhibited a high surface area of 102.5 m2 g–1 with mesoporous architecture favourable for enhanced dye adsorption and charge transport. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis revealed low charge-transfer resistance (Rct = 2.81 Ω) and high double-layer capacitance (Cdl = 39.5 mF cm–2), indicating efficient interfacial charge transfer. The fabricated DSSC based on ZnAl-LDH achieved a maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 7.9 ± 0.5% with an open-circuit voltage (VOC) of 0.812 V, short-circuit current density (JSC) of 15.11 mA cm–2, and fill factor (FF) of 0.65, outperforming ZnCo2O4, titanium dioxide (TiO2), and P25 photoanodes. Furthermore, the device exhibited excellent long-term stability with nearly 95–98% retention after continuous illumination. The enhanced photovoltaic performance is mainly attributed to the synergistic effects of high surface area, mesoporosity, and rapid charge transport within the ZnAl-LDH nanosheet framework.