Synthesis and characterization of PVA/YBCO nanocomposite for improvement of solar energy conversion

Abstract

The development of nano-metal oxide materials with unique optoelectronic properties such as highly solar energy absorption and generation of dense amount of electrons is one of the hottest topics now days. The incorporation of these nanomaterials into polymers results in an improvement of the properties of these polymers. Therefore, the understanding of their electronic properties is an essential demand to introduce these nanocomposites into service life. In this work, Yttrium barium copper oxide (YBCO) nanopowders with a uniform particle size of around 11 nm was prepared, sintered, and blended with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) by casting technique. The characteristics of the structure and morphology of PVA/YBCO nanocomposite films are studied using X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The influence of YBCO nanoparticles on the thermal stability of PVA showed that the YBCO enhanced the thermal stability and reduced the rate of thermal degradation of PVA nanocomposites. Current-voltage behavior of PVA/YBCO nanocomposite films was measured at different temperatures. An explanation for the charge carrier concentration in the conduction band with the calculation of the barrier height, activation energy, and conversion and their dependence on temperature and applied field is presented.

Optical, thermal, mechanical properties, and non‐isothermal degradation kinetic studies on PVA/CuO nanocomposites

“…The PVA–Ag nanocomposite was prepared by the simple chemical route to explore the effect of Ag on the conducting properties of PVA . The thermal stability of pristine PVA and PVA–TiO 2 –YBCO nanocomposites was analyzed with the help of TGA . The Co–ZnO doped PVA composite exhibited better thermal stability than pristine PVA .…”

Synthesis and characterization of surface patterned nanoimprinted in1–xCrxP/P(VDF‐TrFE) nanocomposite films for solar cell application potential

“…The doping of InP QDs with 9 at% of Cr ions resulted in an increase of the conversion efficiency to 2.5% compared to un-doped InP nanocomposite which showed conversion efficiency of 0.02%. This is most probably due to the fact that the doping of InP QDs with Cr ions leads to the formation of deep trap level centers in the optical band gap of the InP nanocrystals which hinder the fast recombination between photo-generated electron-hole pairs [106]. The same behavior was observed by Hennel et al [37] which indicated that the double acceptor Cr 1 energy level has been formed above the GaAs conduction band and caused a delay of the fast recombination of the photo-generated electron-hole pairs.…”

Synthesis, characterization, and charge transport mechanism of polyaniline/ZnSe nanocomposites for promising optoelectronic applications

“…The incorporation of inorganic filler at nanometer scale into organic polymeric matrices showed a great encouragement from the fundamental and technological point of view . It was proved that the addition of small amounts of inorganic nanoparticles into the polymer matrix can improve the optical, mechanical, and electrical properties .…”