Design of superparamagnetic Fe3O4@SiO2@3,4-DABP nanocatalysts, fabrication by co-precipitation and sol-gel methods, characterization of detailed surface texture properties and investigation of solar cell performance

Abstract

This research focuses on the synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of Fe₃O₄, Fe₃O₄@SiO₂, and Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@3,4-DABP magnetic nanocatalysts (MNCs) for their potential use as sensors within the intricate architectures of solar cell devices. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area measurements were carried out to characterize the structural, morphological and magnetic properties of the MNCs. The MNCs exhibit an average particle size of approximately 10 nm. Fe₃O₄, Fe₃O₄@SiO₂, and Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@3,4-DABP MNCs have saturation magnetization values ​​of 61.64 emu/g, 37.31 emu/g, and 20.13 emu/g, respectively. Thermal analysis reveals mass change losses of 6.5%, 12% and 28.1%, respectively, indicating different thermal stability profiles. It confirms that their crystal structure is face-centered cubic spinel, with type IV hysteresis loops and H3 loops indicating a mesoporous structure according to the IUPAC classification. Efficiency tests of Fe₃O₄, Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ and Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@3,4-DABP MNCs in solar cell devices show efficiencies of 1.49%, 1.77% and 2.15%, respectively. As the hierarchical modification of the MNCs increases, the efficiency of the solar cell devices increases. These results highlight the potential of Fe₃O₄, Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ and Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@3,4-DABP as promising sensitizers in solar cell technology. Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@3,4-DABP MNCs have high catalytic activity, chemical stability, electronic conductivity and low cost. This study also marks the first demonstration of the effectiveness of environmentally friendly Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@3,4-DABP MNCs in enhancing solar cell performance, prepared via a cost-effective, simple and eco-friendly approach.