Green synthesis and characterization of Graphene/SnO₂ nanocomposite photoanodes for enhanced DSSC performance
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Date
2025
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Nano Plus: Sci. Tech.
Abstract
Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) offer a compelling alternative to conventional
silicon-based solar cells due to their cost-effectiveness, flexibility, and relatively
high efficiency. However, their performance is currently hindered by the
photoanode material, typically titanium dioxide (TiO₂). This study aims to
develop a green synthesis method for graphene/tin dioxide nanocomposites (G/
SnO₂ NCs) using Bryophyllum pinnatum extract for DSSC applications. SnO₂
nanoparticles (SnO2 NPs) were synthesized using a green method with
Bryophyllum pinnatum extract and integrated with biomass-derived graphene to
fabricate G/SnO₂ NCs for DSSC applications. Characterization techniques,
including UV-Vis spectroscopy, XRD, FTIR, SEM, and EDX, were employed to
analyze the optical, structural, functional, morphological, and elemental
compositional properties of graphene, SnO₂, and the G/SnO₂ NCs. The
photoanode thin films were deposited using the doctor blade technique, and their
electrical properties were evaluated using four-point probe measurements.
Results demonstrate that the G/SnO₂ NCs exhibit significantly enhanced
electrical conductivity (0.148 S/m) compared to pristine SnO₂ (0.098 S/m) and
graphene (0.122 S/m), indicating improved charge transport properties within the
composite material. This enhancement is attributed to the synergistic effect of
the high electron mobility of SnO₂ and the excellent conductivity of graphene.
Furthermore, the G/SnO₂ NCs exhibit lower sheet resistance (549.48 Ω), further
suggesting its potential for efficient charge collection in DSSC applications. The
graphene/SnO₂ nanocomposites exhibited enhanced electrical conductivity,
improved charge transport properties, and lower sheet resistance compared to
pristine SnO₂ and graphene. These findings suggest that the synergistic
combination of SnO₂ and graphene offers a promising pathway to improved
efficiency in DSSC applications. This research contributes to the development of
sustainable and cost-effective solar energy solutions, offering a promising
alternative to conventional silicon-based solar cells.