Modifications to tungsten trioxide sol processing for improved solar energy conversion efficiency

A. P. Finlayson; B. A. Glowacki

doi:10.1117/12.680601

31 August 2006 Modifications to tungsten trioxide sol processing for improved solar energy conversion efficiency

A. P. Finlayson, B. A. Glowacki

Proceedings Volume 6340, Solar Hydrogen and Nanotechnology; 63400L (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.680601
Event: SPIE Optics + Photonics, 2006, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

An H₂WO_4(aq)-based sol processing route has been developed to allow the ink jet printing of photocatalytically active WO₃ films. The effect of different heat treatment atmospheres and the addition of triethanolamine upon the structure, composition, optical properties and IPCE response of films printed upon conducting glass substrates (ITO) have been studied using x-ray diffraction, Raman microscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy and photocurrent spectroscopy. It has been discovered that heat treatment under a nitrogen atmosphere inhibits formation of a well defined crystal structure but may extend the tail of the IPCE response curve into the visible range as far as 700 nm. Likewise, the presence of triethanolamine in the precursor sol tends to disrupt the WO₃ crystallization process leading to the formation of amorphous material and residual organic material in the heat treated film. However, UV-visible spectroscopy of these films indicates optical absorption similar to that of crystalline WO3 except with increased absorption in the visible region from 350 nm to 600 nm. These observations are supported by ab initio calculations predicting that the incorporation of nitrogen into the monoclinic WO₃ lattice leads to band gap narrowing and the introduction of mid-gap states.

Citation Download Citation

A. P. Finlayson and B. A. Glowacki "Modifications to tungsten trioxide sol processing for improved solar energy conversion efficiency", Proc. SPIE 6340, Solar Hydrogen and Nanotechnology, 63400L (31 August 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.680601

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available