Structural, morphological and optical properties of SnO2 nanoparticles
obtained by a proteic sol-gel method and their application in
dye-sensitized solar cells
JOURNAL OF SOL-GEL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, 84 (1):
206-213 (2017)DOI: 10.1007/s10971-017-4488-7
Abstract
Tin dioxide nanoparticles were synthesized by the proteic sol-gel
method. Tin chloride (SnCl4 center dot 5H(2)O) was used as source of
Sn4+ and commercial gelatin as organic precursor. Several calcination
temperatures were employed. Thermogravimetric analysis and differential
scanning calorimetry were performed to investigate the thermal behavior
of the precursor powders as well as to select the appropriate
calcination temperatures for oxide formation. Structural, morphological,
and optical properties of the synthesized materials were studied by
X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transformed
infrared spectroscopy, and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. The results
confirmed the formation of spherical nanoparticles of rutile SnO2 with
an optical absorption band in the ultraviolet region near the visible
light range. Thermally treated samples showed improved crystallinity and
superior transparency to visible light. These SnO2 nanoparticles were
successfully employed as photoanode material in dye-sensitized solar
cells. The performance of the cells was evaluated by measuring J x V
curves in a solar simulator and was found to be in line with results in
the literature.