The impact of quantum-sized nickel nanoparticles on TiO2 in photovoltaic and photocatalytic systems

The study examines the impact of the incorporation of quantum-sized nickel (Ni) nanoparticles in TiO2 (titanium dioxide) matrix at 1%, 3%, and 5% weight percentages by straightforward, easy, and potentially effective synthesis strategy of direct doping. The structural, morphological, optical, and electrical characterization studies of synthesized films are systematically done and the photovoltaic, photocatalytic applications are evaluated. The integration of nickel into TiO2 influences its photovoltaic properties by enhancing the open-circuit voltage (Voc). However, higher concentrations lead to increased recombination and defects, decreasing efficiency. On conducting photocatalytic studies, TiO2 doped with 1 wt. % nickel exhibits superior photocatalytic efficiency, surpassing that of undoped TiO2. This improvement in photovoltaic and photocatalytic performance is attributed to better charge separation and reduced recombination. However, optimizing nickel levels is crucial for maximizing benefits for the applications using the performed synthesis strategy.