Synergistic energy system [Sm³⁺-Eu³⁺-Tm³⁺]:CsPbI<inf>2.4</inf>Br<inf>0.6</inf> designing and thermal optimization for photovoltaic and electrical applications

Current work, for the first time elucidates the fabrication and energy applications of the novel perovskite hetero-system formed by the ternary lanthanide doping of CsPbI2.4Br0.6 leading to formation of [Sm3+-Eu3+-Tm3+]:CsPbI2.4Br0.6 (SET:CPVSK). SET:PVSK was tailored for the band gap spanning over the range of 1.59–1.66 eV over the course of 28 days, exhibiting excellent stability. With the cubic crystalline geometry, the spin coated thin films expressed maximum coverage and profound binding to substrate. As a perovskite light absorber, SET:CVSK based solar cell gained an efficiency of 17 % with the 68.92 % of fill factor and an expanded open circuit voltage (Voc) of 1.08 V. As an electro-catalyst, SET:CPVSK expressed moderate oxygen generation. While it demonstrated magnanimous pure hydrogen generation showing impressively minimal overpotential and Tafel slope value of 142 mV and 122.7 mV dec−1, respectively. With an extended service life in the electrolyte medium, SET:CPVSK adorned nickel foam electrode was marked by superior unit capacity of 661.24 mAH g−1 while the equivalent series resistance (Rs) i.e. 0.67 Ω, which shows the minimal resistance and facilitated diffusion of ions

Transmogrifying the potential of [Gd-Ho-Dy]:CsPbI<inf>2</inf>Br<inf>1</inf> energy: High performance heterosystem for sustainable energy applications

Current work focuses the synthesis, characterization, and energy applications of the novel cesium based perovskite material doped with the triple lanthanides forming [Gd-Ho-Dy]:CsPbI2Br1 (GHD-CPVSK). Over the course of 28 days, GHD-CPVSK was marked by an excellent opto-electronic behavior with the band gap energies fluctuating between 1.84 and 1.95 eV. GHD-CPVSK was a remarkable hydrogen generation catalyst with lower overpotential and Tafel slope of 136 mV and 119.5 mV dec−1, respectively. O2 generation activity of the designed electro-catalysts expressed lower reaction kinetics. GHD-CPVSK also surpassed the reference electrode in terms of charge storage for battery applications reflected by the higher battery capacity of 654 mAh g−1 to that of 100 mAh g−1 for reference electrode. As a light harvester layer inside entirely ambient perovskite solar cell, GHD-CPVSK excelled over pristine absorber by gaining an efficiency of 16.75 % and 73.88 % fill factor with an impressive open circuit voltage of 1.19 V

[Gd3+–Ho3+-Dy3+]:CsPbI2.2Br0.8: Lanthanide impelled stabilization of perovskite material for sustainable energy harvesting, generation, and charge storage

This work presents the first systematic investigation of the novel [Gd3+–Ho3+-Dy3+]:CsPbI2.2Br0.8 (GHD:CPVSK) hetero-structure and explores it for energy applications. The optical constancy of GHD:CPVSK was explored for 28 days and it spanned around 1.63 – 1.68 eV, expressing remarkable stability in band energy. This material was identified with the cubic phase and possessed typical ABX3 type of crystalline geometry. GHD:CPVSK was used as an absorber layer inside regular perovskite solar cell. It improved the overall photovoltaic operation with the 16.56 % efficiency and 75.89 % fill factor reflecting the excellent perovskite film quality. As an electro-catalyst, the pure hydrogen production activity of GHD:CPVSK excelled over oxygen generation with the lower overpotential and Tafel slope value of 142 mV and 117.3 mV dec−1. Also, this electro-catalyst was electrochemically intact in electrolyte environment for 100 min. In terms of the charge storing capacity for battery, GHD:CPVSK embellished electrode has 470.66 mAh g−1 of unit capacity and impressively minimal equivalent series resistance (Rs) of 0.41 Ω. The developed material stabilized by lanthanide doping has expressed excellency for diverse energy associated applications and systems in a cost effective, facile, and sustainable manner

Semiconducting Sc<inf>2</inf>O<inf>3</inf>–ZnO nanostructures: Sustainably synthesized efficient material for electro-catalysis, energy storage, and passivation in ambient perovskite solar cells

This work presents the first account of the transformed sustainable production in conjugation with the microwave processing of the scandium oxide (Sc2O3) and zinc oxide (ZnO) forming Sc2O3–ZnO nanostructure. Upon nanocomposite formation, the band gap energy was alleviated to 3.87 eV from 5.8 eV Sc2O3–ZnO nanostructure was characterized with the cubic and hexagonal geometry possessing an average crystallite size of 69.21 nm. The developed nanomaterial exhibited superior catalytic potential towards oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) with the minor overpotential of 180 and 125 mV, respectively. The designed electrode remained unscathed electrochemically for 1500 min in electrolyte environment. Also, this material expressed exquisite potential for charge storage with the specific capacitance of 589 F g−1 in NaCl electrolyte showing candidacy for supercapacitor application. Furthermore, the passivation role of these nanomaterials improved the photovoltaic efficiency of the perovskite solar cell, which achieved 11.41% of the power conversion efficiency in addition to improved fill factor. Sc2O3–ZnO nanostructure is a sustainable and eco-friendly material with the efficient output in diverse energy systems. Therefore, it possesses greater candidacy for adoption in terms of commercialization replacing costly materials

Gearing towards the sustainable energy transformation, production, and storage using thermic modulated [Ce3+-Pr3+-Nd3+]:CsPbI2.7Br0.3 perovskite hetero-system

Current investigation elucidates the first report on the designing, optimization, and applications of the lanthanide tri-doped CsPbI2.7Br0.3 establishing [Ce3+-Pr3+-Nd3+]:CsPbI2.7Br0.3 (CPN:CPVSK). This novel heterostructure remained optically active for 28 days with the narrowed band gap ranging between 1.65 and 1.7 eV. CPN:CPVSK was identified with the cubic phase and average crystallite size was 58.92 nm. The spin coated thin films were marked by excellent compactness and maximal covering. As photo-converter inside an entirely air-processed perovskite solar cell, CPN:CPVSK attained the efficiency of 17.92 % and 1.1 V of the open circuit voltage (Voc). CPN-CPVSK decked nickel foam electrode expressed moderate affinity towards production of oxygen while the pure hydrogen generation activity was remarkable with the overpotential and kinetic Tafel slope value of 143.1 mV and 119.7 mV dec−1, respectively. With an impressive electrochemical service life, this electrode was also characterized with the commendable charge storage with the unit capacity of 567 mAH g−1 and a negligible equivalent series resistance (Rs) i.e. 0.51 Ω. CPN:CPVSK is a sustainable and energy efficient choice which has prospects for use in the energy systems at practical scale for maximizing the efficiency and stability

An appraisal of the role of lanthanide doping in stabilization and performance improvement of [Sm³⁺-Eu³⁺-Tm³⁺]:CsPbI<inf>2.2</inf>Br<inf>0.8</inf> for high-performance energy systems

Energy sustainability in the present era is associated with the adoption of the integrated and consolidated approach to generate, convert, and store energy. Current investigation is demonstrative of the first exploration of the novel CsPbI2.2Br0.8 transformed by lanthanide triple doping forming [Sm3+-Eu3+-Tm3+]:CsPbI2.2Br0.8 (SET:CPVSK). Also, SET:CPVSK is the for the first time employed in multitudinous energy applications. SET:CPVSK excelled over the pristine material with the minimal alterations in the band gap energy spanning around 1.65 – 1.72 eV tracked for 28 days. With the cubic phase, SET:CPVSK thin films exhibited excellent morphology with the tighter binding to substrate. As light harvesting layers inside entirely ambient perovskite solar cells, the efficiency of the cells increased to 16.31 % from 7.49 % upon doping with an improvement in other photovoltaic features also. Electro-catalytic response of the SET:CPVSK towards hydrogen generation was magnanimous with the lower overpotential and kinetic Tafel slope of 130 mV and 116.5 mV dec−1, signifying Volmer-Heyrovsky mechanistic route. With the service life of 100 min, the developed electro-catalyst expressed sustainable output. In terms of the charge storage, the unit capacity was improved to 622.4 mAH g−1 upon doping while the other electrode can only reach up to 394.2 mAH g−1. Furthermore, the resistive response of this electrode was also appreciable with the lower equivalent series resistance (Rs) i.e. 0.41 Ω, showing auspiciousness for practical applications