THE SYNGENETIC INCORPORATION OF ZINC IN THE LATTICE OF TUNGSTEN MOLYBDATE (ZNXWMO3) FOR POTENTIAL PHOTOVOLTAIC APPLICATION
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4314/njt.2025.5124Keywords:
Tungsten;, efficiency;, photovoltaic cell; , bandgap; , electrochemical cell;Abstract
This study highlights Zn-doped tungsten-molybdenum oxide (WMo₃) as a significant and promising new material in photovoltaics. The global demand for renewable energy is pushing the development of affordable, reliable, and high-performing materials. Films were deposited using a three-electrode electrochemical technique. The films' photovoltaic parameters were characterized. Fill factor measurements showed that the solar cell's quality improved from 51% (WMo₃) to 59% (Zn₀.₀₃WMo₃). In other words, increased fill factors lead to improved solar cell efficiency and reduced voltage drops in circuits. A significant efficiency improvement is observed—a rise from 1.8% in WMo₃ to 6.3% in Zn₀.₀₃WMo₃. Zinc doping improves the cell's efficiency in converting sunlight into electricity. Undoped WMO₃ showed a uniform granular morphology with relatively smooth surfaces. The grains were well-crystallized and tightly packed, but the surface area may be low. The structure's small size decreases porosity and surface roughness, limiting light trapping and charge transport. Introducing Zn modifies the morphology, leading to larger grains and increased surface porosity. Enhanced intergranular connectivity facilitated greater charge transport; rising zinc concentration induced peak intensity shifts and alterations, signifying amplified crystal lattice distortion. Enhanced properties, such as improved charge carrier mobility, make this material better for photovoltaic applications. Zn doping raises the bandgap from 1.27 eV in WMO₃ to 1.66 eV in Zn₀.₀₃WMO₃. This shifted the optical absorption edge toward shorter wavelengths (from the near infrared region (NIR) to visible light), thus enhancing visible-light harvesting in photovoltaics.
References
[1] Al-Otaibi, A. L., Ghrib, T., Alqahtani, M., Alharbi, M. A., Hamdi, R, and Massoudi, I. "Structural, optical, and photocatalytic studies of Zn-doped MoO3 nanobelts". Chemical Physics, 525, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemphys.2019.110410
[2] Aparna, C., Shetty, P. K, & Mahesha, M. G. "Tuning of the structural and electrical properties of thermo-luminescent tungsten-doped indium oxide thin film". Mater. Adv., 6, p. 433-447, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1039/d4ma00949e
[3] Benhamida, S., Gouamid, M., Tlili, S., Khenblouche, A., and Charradi, K. "Structural, optical, and dielectric properties of Zn-doped NIO thin films synthesized via the sol-gel route". Digest Journal of Nanomaterials and Biostructures, 16(2), p. 433–442, 2021 https://doi.org/10.15251/djnb.2021.162.433
[4] Carneiro, P., Soares dos Santos, M. P., Rodrigues, A., Ferreira, J. A. F., Simões, J. A. O., Marques, A. T., and Kholkin, A. L. "Electromagnetic energy harvesting using magnetic levitation architectures": A review. Applied Energy, 260, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2019.114191
[5] Doddapaneni, V. V. K., Song, C., Dhas, J. A., Cheng, N., Camp, I., Chang, A., Pan, C., Paul, B. K., Pasebani, S., Feng, Z., Sierros, K. A., and Chang, C. Hung. "Beyond Solution-Based Printing: Unveiling Innovations and Advancements in Solvent-Free Printing Technologies". Advanced Functional Materials, 35(30), 2423498. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202423498
[6] Ghazal, S., Mirzaee, M., and Darroudi, M. "Role of zinc-doped tungsten oxide nanosheets in photo-catalytic, anti-cancer, and antibacterial applications". Environmental Technology and Innovation, 36, 103908, 2024.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eti.2024.103908
[7] Han, Y., Guo, J., Luo, Q., and Ma, C. Q. "Solution-Processable Zinc Oxide for Printed Photovoltaics: Progress, Challenges, and Prospect". Advanced Energy and Sustainability Research, 4(10), 2200179, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1002/aesr.202200179
[8] Ikhioya, I. L., Akpu, N. I., and Nkele, A. C. "Influence of ytterbium (Yb) dopant on the optical properties of electrochemically deposited zinc oxide (ZnO) films". Materials Research Express, 8(1), 016403, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1088/2053-1591/abd5d6
[9] Ikhioya, I. L., Nkele, A. C., Ezema, S. N., Maaza, M., and Ezema, F. "A study on the effects of varying concentrations on the properties of ytterbium-doped cobalt selenide thin films". Optical Materials, 101, 109731, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optmat.2020.109731
[10] Ikhioya, I. L., Rufus, I., and Akpu, N. I. "Influence of temperature on energy band gap and other properties of undoped and cadmium-doped manganese sulphide (MnS: Cd) synthesized for photovoltaic and optoelectronic applications". Asian Journal of Nanoscience and Materials, 5(2), p. 88–97, 2022. https://doi.org/10.48309/JMNC.2022.2.1
[11] Ishak, N. N., Mohamed Ali, M. S, and Bsoul, A. "Nanostructured Materials for Highly Efficient Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells: A Review". Advanced Materials Technologies, 10(11), 2401519, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1002/admt.202401519
[12] Jang, H., Lim, H. Y., Park, C. B., Seo, J., Son, J. G., Song, T., Lee, J., Shin, Y. S, Roe, J, Kwak, S. K., Kim, D. S., and Kim, J. Y. "Zn2+ ion doping for structural modulation of lead-free Sn-based perovskite solar cells". Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 11(20), p. 10605–10611, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1039/d2ta09793a
[13] Jayakumar, S., and Poongkothai, J. "A Study on the Morphological Effect of Nano WO3Particles for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Application". Asian Journal of Chemistry, 35(4), p. 935–941, 2023. https://doi.org/10.14233/ajchem.2023.26949
[14] Johansson, M. B., Kristiansen, P. T., Duda, L., Niklasson, G. A., and Österlund, L. (2016). "Band gap states in nanocrystalline WO3 thin films studied by soft X-ray spectroscopy and optical spectrophotometry". Journal of Physics Condensed Matter, 28(47). https://doi.org/10.1088/09538984/28/47/475802
[15] Joy, A., Viswanathan, M. R., Vijayan, B. K., Silva, C. G., Basheer, I., Sugathan, S., Mohamed, P. A., Solaiappan, A., and Shereef, A. "Solar photocatalysts: non-metal (C, N, and S)-doped ZnO synthesized through an industrially sustainable in situ approach for environmental remediation applications". RSC Advances, 14(30), p. 21655–21667, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1039/d4ra03492a
[16] Kavitha, V. S., Biju, V., Gopchandran, K. G., Praveena, R., Jayasankar, C. K, Mekprasart, W, Boonyarattanakalin, K., Pecharapa, W., and Pillai, V. P. M. "Tailoring the Emission Behavior of WO3 Thin Films by Eu3+ Ions for Light-Emitting Applications". Nanomaterials, 13(1), 7, 2023. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13010007
[17] Kshetrapal, S., Ugemuge, N., Nafdey, R., Singla, R., Kashyap, M. K., and Moharil, S. V.. "Electronic structure analysis of Bi2WO6 and observation of near infrared emission on Nd3+doping". Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 985, 173966, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2024.173966
[18] Lethy, K. J., Beena, D., Mahadevan Pillai, V. P., and Ganesan, V. "Bandgap renormalization in titania modified nanostructured tungsten oxide thin films prepared by pulsed laser deposition technique for solar cell applications". Journal of Applied Physics, 104(3), 033515, 2008. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2953070
[19] Lu, P., Zhang, Z., Gu, Z., Li, Z., Su, H., Shen, X., and Xu, Q. "Construction of Fe2O3-CuO Heterojunction Photoelectrode for Enhanced Efficiency of Solar Redox Flow Batteries". Processes, 12(8), 1765, 2024. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12081765
[20] Luo, J., Wan, Z., Jia, C., Wang, Y., Wu, X., & Yao, X. "Co-sensitization of Dithiafulvenyl-Phenothiazine-Based Organic Dyes with N719 for Efficient Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells". Electrochimica Acta, 211, p. 364–374, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2016.05.175
[21] Madhan, D., Parthibavarman, M., Rajkumar, P., and Sangeetha, M. "Influence of Zn doping on structural, optical, and photocatalytic activity of WO3 nanoparticles by a novel microwave irradiation technique". Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics, 26(9), p. 6823–6830, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-015-3296-5
[22] Manabeng, M., Mwankemwa, B. S., Ocaya, R. O., Motaung, T. E., and Malevu, T. D. "A Review of the Impact of Zinc Oxide Nanostructure Morphology on Perovskite Solar Cell Performance". Processes, 10(9), 1803, 2022. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr10091803
[23] Menon, V. S., and Krishnamoorthy, A. (2023). "Hole Selectivity of n-Type Molybdenum Oxide Carrier Selective Layer for Commercial and Emerging Thin-Film Photovoltaics: A Critical Analysis of Interface Energetics and Ensuant Device Physics". Energy Technology, 11(11), 2300608, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1002/ente.202300608
[24] Mohammadi, S., Sohrabi, M., Golikand, A. N., & Fakhri, A. "Preparation and characterization of zinc and copper co-doped WO3 nanoparticles: Application in photocatalysis and photobiology". Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, 161, p. 217–221, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2016.05.020
[25] Momin, R. B. N., Rajput, R. B., Shaikh, R. S., & Kale, R. B. "A review of WO3-based dye-sensitized solar cells: Unveiling the potential of tungsten oxide as counter and working electrodes". Materials Science in Semiconductor Processing, 181, 108662, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mssp.2024.108662
[26] Omar, A., Ali, M. S., and Abd Rahim, N. "Electron transport properties analysis of titanium dioxide dye-sensitized solar cells (TiO2-DSSCs) based on natural dyes using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy concept: A review". Solar Energy, 207, p. 1088–1121, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2020.07.028
[27] Palanisami, S., Dhandapani, V. S., Jayachandran, V., Muniappan, E., Park, D., Kim, B., and Govindasami, K. Investigation on Physico-Chemical and X-ray Shielding Performance of Zinc Doped Nano-WO3 Epoxy Composite for Light Weight Lead Free Aprons. Materials, 16(10), 3866, 2023. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16103866
[28] Rajaramanan, T., Shanmugaratnam, S., Gurunanthanan, V., Yohi, S., Velauthapillai, D., Ravirajan, P., and Senthilnanthanan, M. "Cost-effective solvothermal method to synthesize Zn-doped TiO2 nanomaterials for photovoltaic and photocatalytic degradation applications". Catalysts, 11(6), 690, 2021. https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11060690
[29] Sengupta, D., Das, P., Mondal, B., and Mukherjee, K. "Effects of doping, morphology, and film-thickness of photo-anode materials for dye sensitized solar cell application - A review". Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 60, p. 356–376, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2016.01.104
[30] Suhaimi, S., Shahimin, M. M., Alahmed, Z. A., Chyský, J., & Reshak, A. H. "Materials for enhanced dye-sensitized solar cell performance: Electrochemical application". International Journal of Electrochemical Science, 10(4), p. 2859–2871, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1452-3981(23)06503-3
[31] Talebi, S., Rajabi, Y., and Ardyanian, M. "Enhanced nonlinear optical properties of ZnO: WO3 nanocomposites". Journal of Nanophotonics, 13(01), 1, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1117/1.jnp.13.016003
[32] Udofia, K. I., Ikhioya, I. L., Okoli, D. N., and Ekpunobi, A. J. "Impact of doping on the physical properties of PbSe chalcogenide material for photovoltaic application". Asian Journal of Nanoscience and Materials, 6(2), p. 135–147, 2023. https://doi.org/10.48309/JMNC.2023.2.3
[33] Ummah, M. S. "主観的健康感を中心とした在宅高齢者における 健康関連指標に関する共分散構造分析". Sustainability (Switzerland), 11(1), p. 1–14, 2019.
[34] DiValentin, C., and Pacchioni, G. "Rational Band Gap Engineering of WO 3 Photocatalyst for Visible Light Water Splitting". ChemCatChem, 4(4), p. 476–478, 2012. https://doi.org/10.1002/cctc.201100446
[35 Yathisha, R. O., Arthoba Nayaka, Y., Purushothama, H. T., Manjunatha, P., Basavarajappa, K. V., and Vinay, M. M. "Investigate the influence of Zn2+ doping on the photovoltaic properties (DSSCs) of MgO nanoparticles". Journal of Molecular Structure, 1217, 128407, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molstruc.2020.128407
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Nigerian Journal of Technology
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
The contents of the articles are the sole opinion of the author(s) and not of NIJOTECH.
NIJOTECH allows open access for distribution of the published articles in any media so long as whole (not part) of articles are distributed.
A copyright and statement of originality documents will need to be filled out clearly and signed prior to publication of an accepted article. The Copyright form can be downloaded from http://nijotech.com/downloads/COPYRIGHT%20FORM.pdf while the Statement of Originality is in http://nijotech.com/downloads/Statement%20of%20Originality.pdf
For articles that were developed from funded research, a clear acknowledgement of such support should be mentioned in the article with relevant references. Authors are expected to provide complete information on the sponsorship and intellectual property rights of the article together with all exceptions.
It is forbidden to publish the same research report in more than one journal.
How to Cite
