Issue 1, 2012

Probing the morphology-device relation of Fe2O3nanostructures towards photovoltaic and sensing applications

Abstract

A lot of research on nanomaterials has been carried out in recent years. However, there is still a lack of nanostructures that have a combination of superior properties; both efficient electron transport and high surface area. Here, the authors have tried to develop hybrid α-Fe2O3 flower-like morphology which exhibits both superior electron transport and high surface area. Intrigued by the unique properties of Fe2O3 at the nanoscale and its abundance in nature, we have demonstrated a facile template-free solution based synthesis of hybrid α-Fe2O3 comprising nanopetals nucleating radially from a 3D core. Due to its simplicity, the synthesis process can be easily reproduced and scaled up. We carried out in-depth studies on gas sensing and dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) device characterization so as to gain an understanding of how surface area and transport properties are affected by variation in morphology. The hybrid α-Fe2O3 nanostructures are studied as potential candidates for gas sensors and for the first time as a working electrode for DSSC.

Graphical abstract: Probing the morphology-device relation of Fe2O3 nanostructures towards photovoltaic and sensing applications

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
18 Jul 2011
Accepted
06 Oct 2011
First published
10 Nov 2011

Nanoscale, 2012,4, 194-205

Probing the morphology-device relation of Fe2O3 nanostructures towards photovoltaic and sensing applications

S. Agarwala, Z. H. Lim, E. Nicholson and G. W. Ho, Nanoscale, 2012, 4, 194 DOI: 10.1039/C1NR10856E

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