DOI: https://doi.org/10.61435/ijred.2025.60983

Formulation of Nb-doped ZnO nanoparticles towards improved photo conversion performance via luminescent down-shifting of the incident spectrum

1Faculty of Electronic and Computer Engineering and Technology Hang Tuah Jaya, 76100, University Technical Malaysia Malacca, Malaysia

2Department of Materials, Faculty of Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom, United Kingdom

3Department of Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering, University Malaysia Pahang, Lebuhraya Tun Razak, Gambang, Pahang, Kuantan, 26300, Malaysia

Received: 23 Dec 2024; Revised: 19 Feb 2025; Accepted: 13 Mar 2025; Available online: 20 Mar 2025; Published: 1 May 2025.
Editor(s): H Hadiyanto
Open Access Copyright (c) 2025 The Author(s). Published by Centre of Biomass and Renewable Energy (CBIORE)
Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Abstract
The quest for optimal solar energy utilization has prompted an investigation into materials and techniques, establishing luminescent down shifting (LDS). This method converts short-wavelength photons into longer wavelengths thus expanding the range of absorption. This may further enhance the efficiency of solar cell power conversion. Herein, the Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanoparticle is introduced as a promising candidate for LDS, mainly due to its ability to convert light effectively and cost-savvy. This research delves into enhancing Niobium (Nb) doped ZnO particles that exhibit photoluminescent characteristics to improve energy conversion efficiency. The synthesis of 1% mol of Nb-doped ZnO nanoparticles on indium tin oxide (ITO) films was achieved using a low-temperature hydrothermal technique, varying the growth duration. Extensive analysis using XRD, SEM, and UV-Vis spectroscopy revealed that the optimal outcomes were achieved with an 8-hour growing period. The analysis revealed a hexagonal wurtzite crystal structure, characterized by prominent peaks on the (111) plane and a crystallite size of 37.18 nm. A morphology study indicated that the ZnO nanorods exhibited a randomly uniform oriented arrangement and a densely formed structure measuring 0.77 ± 0.02 μm. The samples exhibited promising optoelectronic properties based on the analysis, such as a characteristic bandgap of 3.35 eV, a transmittance of 46.54%, and an absorbance of 0.33 a.u .Furthermore, the electrical conductivity of the Nb-doped ZnO films was recorded at 1.62 mΩ⁻¹cm⁻¹.These findings suggest that controlling the Nb growth offers a promising avenue for optimizing the performance of Nb:ZnO nanoparticles for advanced solar energy conversion applications.
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Keywords: Niobium; Zinc oxide nanoparticles; Down-shifting; Hydrothermal
Funding: Universiti Teknikal Malaysia, Melaka (UTeM)

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Section: Original Research Article
Language : EN
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