Synergistic effects in the TiO2@ZnO/MoSe2 ternary composite photoanode for enhanced solar cell efficiency

In this study, the ternary composites of two-dimensional transition-metal dichalcogenides, specifically molybdenum selenide (MoSe 2 ) decorated with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide (TiO 2 @ZnO/MoSe 2 ), were synthesized using the hydrothermal method . The FE-SEM image of TiO 2 @ZnO/MoSe 2 ternary composite exhibited nanoparticles with an embedded crystalline nature. HR-TEM image revealed a nanoparticle-encased multicrystalline structure. The AFM analysis of the TiO 2 @ZnO/MoSe 2 ternary composite photoanode displayed a highly textured and rough surface. Furthermore, X-ray studies indicated that the as-prepared TiO 2 @ZnO/MoSe 2 ternary composite photoanode contains the anatase phase, with the predominant crystalline orientation being (110). Raman results confirmed the presence TiO 2 , ZnO, and MoSe 2 in the ternary composite. UV–visible spectroscopy revealed absorption peaks at 248 nm, 226 nm, and 630 nm, corresponding to TiO 2 , ZnO, and MoSe 2 , respectively. The TiO 2 @ZnO/MoSe 2 composite photoanode showed an electrical conductivity of 5.63 × 10 −4 S cm −1 at room temperature. Additionally, dye-sensitized solar cells with the TiO 2 @ZnO/MoSe 2 ternary composite photoanode achieved a notably higher efficiency (9.13 %) than those with TiO 2 @MoSe 2 and ZnO@MoSe 2 photoanodes (7.35 % and 6.27 %, respectively). The proposed ternary composite consistently outperformed previously reported TiO 2 -based photoanodes such as nitrogen-doped TiO 2 nanoparticles/nanotubes, Pt-doped TiO 2 nanotubes on the Ti mesh, and carbon nanotube–doped TiO 2 nanorods (efficiencies of 2.53 %, 5.60 %, and 2.30 %, respectively). After a 30-day stability test, the TiO 2 @ZnO/MoSe 2 ternary composite photoanode showed the efficiency of 8.47 %. This suggests that the TiO 2 @ZnO/MoSe 2 composite is a promising photoanode material for high-performance dye-sensitized solar cells. • TiO 2 @ZnO/MoSe 2 ternary composites were prepared using simple hydrothermal method . • FE-SEM and HR-TEM imaging confirmed crystalline structure of TiO 2 @ZnO/MoSe 2 . • XRD revealed anatase crystalline structure, dominant (110) plane in composites. • TiO 2 @ZnO/MoSe 2 photo-anode achieved electrical conductivity of 5.63 × 10 −4 S cm −1 . • DSSC with TiO 2 @ZnO/MoSe 2 photo-anode showed highest efficiency of 9.13 %.