Formulation of Nb-doped ZnO nanoparticles towards improved photo conversion performance via luminescent down-shifting of the incident spectrum
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 efficie...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Diponegoro University Indonesia - Center of Biomass and Renewable Energy (CBIORE)
2025
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| Online Access: | https://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/45721/ |
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| author | Yaumee Natasha, Jusoh Aliyaselvam, Omsri Vinasha Nurul Aliyah, Zainal Abidin Ahmad Nizamuddin, Muhammad Mustafa Ahmad Syahiman, Mohd Shah Fauziyah, Salehuddin Faiz, Arith |
| author_facet | Yaumee Natasha, Jusoh Aliyaselvam, Omsri Vinasha Nurul Aliyah, Zainal Abidin Ahmad Nizamuddin, Muhammad Mustafa Ahmad Syahiman, Mohd Shah Fauziyah, Salehuddin Faiz, Arith |
| author_sort | Yaumee Natasha, Jusoh |
| building | UMP Institutional Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | 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. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-15T04:01:36Z |
| format | Article |
| id | ump-45721 |
| institution | Universiti Malaysia Pahang |
| institution_category | Local University |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-15T04:01:36Z |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publisher | Diponegoro University Indonesia - Center of Biomass and Renewable Energy (CBIORE) |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | ump-457212025-09-25T00:33:25Z https://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/45721/ Formulation of Nb-doped ZnO nanoparticles towards improved photo conversion performance via luminescent down-shifting of the incident spectrum Yaumee Natasha, Jusoh Aliyaselvam, Omsri Vinasha Nurul Aliyah, Zainal Abidin Ahmad Nizamuddin, Muhammad Mustafa Ahmad Syahiman, Mohd Shah Fauziyah, Salehuddin Faiz, Arith TK Electrical engineering. Electronics Nuclear engineering 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. Diponegoro University Indonesia - Center of Biomass and Renewable Energy (CBIORE) 2025 Article PeerReviewed pdf en cc_by_sa_4 https://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/45721/1/Formulation%20of%20Nb-doped%20ZnO%20nanoparticles.pdf Yaumee Natasha, Jusoh and Aliyaselvam, Omsri Vinasha and Nurul Aliyah, Zainal Abidin and Ahmad Nizamuddin, Muhammad Mustafa and Ahmad Syahiman, Mohd Shah and Fauziyah, Salehuddin and Faiz, Arith (2025) Formulation of Nb-doped ZnO nanoparticles towards improved photo conversion performance via luminescent down-shifting of the incident spectrum. International Journal of Renewable Energy Development, 14 (3). pp. 441-449. ISSN 2252-4940. (Published) https://doi.org/10.61435/ijred.2025.60983 https://doi.org/10.61435/ijred.2025.60983 https://doi.org/10.61435/ijred.2025.60983 |
| spellingShingle | TK Electrical engineering. Electronics Nuclear engineering Yaumee Natasha, Jusoh Aliyaselvam, Omsri Vinasha Nurul Aliyah, Zainal Abidin Ahmad Nizamuddin, Muhammad Mustafa Ahmad Syahiman, Mohd Shah Fauziyah, Salehuddin Faiz, Arith Formulation of Nb-doped ZnO nanoparticles towards improved photo conversion performance via luminescent down-shifting of the incident spectrum |
| title | Formulation of Nb-doped ZnO nanoparticles towards improved photo conversion performance via luminescent down-shifting of the incident spectrum |
| title_full | Formulation of Nb-doped ZnO nanoparticles towards improved photo conversion performance via luminescent down-shifting of the incident spectrum |
| title_fullStr | Formulation of Nb-doped ZnO nanoparticles towards improved photo conversion performance via luminescent down-shifting of the incident spectrum |
| title_full_unstemmed | Formulation of Nb-doped ZnO nanoparticles towards improved photo conversion performance via luminescent down-shifting of the incident spectrum |
| title_short | Formulation of Nb-doped ZnO nanoparticles towards improved photo conversion performance via luminescent down-shifting of the incident spectrum |
| title_sort | formulation of nb-doped zno nanoparticles towards improved photo conversion performance via luminescent down-shifting of the incident spectrum |
| topic | TK Electrical engineering. Electronics Nuclear engineering |
| url | https://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/45721/ https://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/45721/ https://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/45721/ |