Applied Chemical Engineering

Studying the optical and electrical properties of thin films using Congo red dye doped with nanoparticles (TiO2, MgO,SiO2) in solar luminescent concentrator (LSC) applications

Bustan Fadhil Aboud

Department of Physics, College of Education for Pure Sciences, University of Babylon, Babylon, Iraq

Najlaa Mohammed Hadi

Department of Physics, College of Education for Pure Sciences, University of Babylon, Babylon, Iraq

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59429/ace.v9i3.5958

Keywords: Congo Red, PVA, Nanoparticles (SiO2, MgO, TiO2), Luminescent Solar Concentrator (LSC), Solar Cell Efficiency

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Abstract

This study investigates improving photovoltaic cell efficiency by developing luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) based on an organic Congo red dye embedded in a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) polymer matrix. Thin films were prepared with varying weight percentages of the dye, with the addition of fixed proportions of nanoparticles (SiO₂, MgO, TiO₂) to enhance the optical and electrical properties. Optical characterization results (UV-Vis and fluorescence) showed a steady increase in absorption and fluorescence emission intensity at a fixed wavelength (625 nm) with increasing dye and nanoparticle concentrations. Electrical measurements revealed a significant improvement in solar cell parameters, indicated by a reduction in the energy gap (Eg).  Films doped with titanium dioxide (TiO₂) particles achieved the highest efficiency at 4.8%, followed by films doped with magnesium oxide (MgO) at 4.5%, and then films doped with silicon dioxide (SiO₂) at 3.8%, compared to 3.5% for the pure dye. These results demonstrate that incorporating nano-enhancers, particularly titanium dioxide, represents a promising strategy for improving the performance of solar photovoltaic concentrators and advancing renewable energy applications.

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