Publication date: 1 May 2026
Source: Nano Hybrids and Composites Vol. 51
Author(s): Muhammad Shahzad Sadiq, Muhammad Imran
The convergence of escalating energy demand and finite fossil fuel reserves has created an urgent, global imperative for sustainable and renewable energy. Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have quickly become a leading contender in photovoltaics. Their appeal lies in superior optoelectronic properties, high light absorption capabilities, and cost-effective manufacturing, positioning them as a strong alternative to traditional silicon solar cells. However, significant challenges remain, particularly concerning efficiency, long-term stability, and the reproducibility of device performance. This research addresses these issues by focusing on the crucial role of electron transport materials (ETMs). An Ag/rGO/TiO2 ternary nanocomposite through a simple hydrothermal method, designed to function as a highly effective electron transport layer (ETL) in planar PSCs. When integrated into a PSC and measured under standard AM 1.5G (100 mW/cm²) conditions, the optimized Ag/rGO/TiO2 ETL delivered a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 8.72% ± 0.25% (based on an average of N=5 devices). The champion device showed a short-circuit current density (JSC) of 14.98 mA/cm², an open-circuit voltage (VOC) of 0.99 V, and a fill factor (FF) of 58.83%. This performance represents a notable improvement over the reference device using pristine TiO₂, which achieved a PCE of 6.56% ± 0.31% (JSC = 13.1 mA/cm², VOC = 0.95 V, and FF = 52.7%) under identical conditions. This enhancement confirms that the doped materials significantly improve photovoltaic performance by promoting efficient charge transport and suppressing recombination. This work outlines a straightforward and low-cost approach to creating advanced ETMs, which is a vital step toward the commercialization of next-generation perovskite devices.
[1] Fatima, Q., A.A. Haidry, H. Zhang, A. El Jery, and M. Aldrdery, A critical review on advancement and challenges in using TiO2 as electron transport layer for perovskite solar cell, Materials Today Sustainability, 27 (2024) 100857.
[2] Singh, S., A.K. Tangra, and G.S. Lotey, Optical and Luminescence Properties of β-NaFeO2 Nanoparticles, Electronic Materials Letters, 14 (2018) 594-598.
[3] Zhao, W., P. Guo, J. Wu, D. Lin, N. Jia, Z. Fang, C. Liu, Q. Ye, J. Zou, Y. Zhou, and H. Wang, TiO2 Electron Transport Layer with p–n Homojunctions for Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells, Nano-Micro Letters, 16 (2024) 191.
[4] Shahzad Sadiq, M., M. Imran, A. Rafai, and M. Rizwan, Optimization of AG/RGO/TIO2 Nanocomposite for Peropvskite Solar Cells, Iranian Journal of Materials Science and Engineering, 21 (2024) 99-107.
[5] Muthukumaran, K., V. Arjun, A. Nithya, S. Thangarasu, T.H. Oh, and S. Karuppuchamy, Fabrication of planar perovskite solar cells using ternary metal oxide nanocomposite as hole-transporting material, Energies, 16 (2023) 3696.
DOI: 10.3390/en16093696
[6] Al-Shujaa, S., P. Zhao, D. He, B. Al-Anesi, Y. Feng, J. Xia, B. Zhang, and Y. Zhang, Improving the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells by refining the perovskite-electron transport layer interface and shielding the absorber from UV effects, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 16 (2024) 28493-28504.
[7] Bouazzi, D., J. Wannassi, M.T. Caccamo, S. Magazù, N. Jaffrezic-Renault, H. Barhoumi, and B. Badraoui, Ultrasensitive electrochemical detection of glyphosate using a Pd-decorated Cit-HAP hybrid electrode, Microchimica Acta, 192 (2025) 1-19.
[8] Ahmad, A., J. Thiel, and S.I. Shah. Structural effects of niobium and silver doping on titanium dioxide nanoparticles. in Journal of Physics: Conference Series. 2007. IOP Publishing.
[9] Mahdavi, H., M. Rezaei, L. Ahmadian-Alam, and M.M.J.K.J.o.C.E. Amini, A novel ternary Pd-GO/N-doped TiO2 hierarchical visible-light sensitive photocatalyst for nanocomposite membrane, 37 (2020) 946-954.
[10] Zhang, C., Q. Zhang, S. Kang, X. Li, and Y.J.I.J.E.S. Wang, Facile Synthesis of Hierarchically Porous Metal-TiO2/graphitic Carbon Microspheres by Colloidal Crystal Templating Method, 8 (2013) 8299-8310.
[11] Wang, P., L. Han, C. Zhu, Y. Zhai, and S.J.N.r. Dong, Aqueous-phase synthesis of Ag-TiO2-reduced graphene oxide and Pt-TiO2-reduced graphene oxide hybrid nanostructures and their catalytic properties, 4 (2011) 1153-1162.
[12] Wang, P., Y. Tang, Z. Dong, Z. Chen, and T.-T.J.J.o.M.C.A. Lim, Ag–AgBr/TiO 2/RGO nanocomposite for visible-light photocatalytic degradation of penicillin G, 1 (2013) 4718-4727.
DOI: 10.1039/c3ta01042b
[13] Liu, Y., R. Wang, and X.J.S.r. Yan, Synergistic effect between ultra-small nickel hydroxide nanoparticles and reduced graphene oxide sheets for the application in high-performance asymmetric supercapacitor, 5 (2015) 1-12.
DOI: 10.1038/srep11095
[14] Dharma, J., A. Pisal, and C.J.A.N.S. Shelton, CT: PerkinElmer, Simple method of measuring the band gap energy value of TiO2 in the powder form using a UV/Vis/NIR spectrometer, (2009) 1-4.
[15] Kafizas, A., X. Wang, S.R. Pendlebury, P. Barnes, M. Ling, C. Sotelo-Vazquez, R. Quesada-Cabrera, C. Li, I.P. Parkin, and J.R.J.T.J.o.P.C.A. Durrant, Where do photogenerated holes go in anatase: rutile TiO2? A transient absorption spectroscopy study of charge transfer and lifetime, 120 (2016) 715-723.
[16] Ko, S., C.K. Banerjee, and J.J.C.P.B.E. Sankar, Photochemical synthesis and photocatalytic activity in simulated solar light of nanosized Ag doped TiO2 nanoparticle composite, 42 (2011) 579-583.
[17] Dette, C., M.A. Pérez-Osorio, C.S. Kley, P. Punke, C.E. Patrick, P. Jacobson, F. Giustino, S.J. Jung, and K.J.N.l. Kern, TiO2 anatase with a bandgap in the visible region, 14 (2014) 6533-6538.
DOI: 10.1021/nl503131s
[18] Nainani, R., P. Thakur, and M.J.J.M.S.E.B. Chaskar, Synthesis of silver doped TiO2 nanoparticles for the improved photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange, 2 (2012) 52-58.
[19] Bezerra, P., R.P. Cavalcante, A. Garcia, H. Wender, M.A. Martines, G.A. Casagrande, J. Giménez, P. Marco, S.C. Oliveira, and A.J.J.o.t.B.C.S. Machulek, Synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic activity of pure and N-, B-, or Ag-doped TiO 2, 28 (2017) 1788-1802.