Analysis of the thermal stability and optical properties of KBiFe 2 O 5 perovskite obtained by a polymeric precursor method

• Published in: International journal of applied ceramic technology Vol. 19; no. 3; pp. 1779 - 1787
• Main Authors: Verza, Jhonata Rafael, Silva, Gislayne Rayane Alves da, Morelli, Márcio Raymundo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.05.2022
• ISSN: 1546-542X; 1744-7402
• DOI: 10.1111/ijac.14019

Abstract The solar cells are the most prominent devices to generate energy from sunlight, however, one of the main factors limiting the efficiency of photovoltaic conversion is the recombination of charge carriers in their active layer, which is generated by the inhomogeneity of the material that constitutes this layer. KBiFe 2 O 5 is a perovskite with a high potential to be applied in the active layer of photovoltaic devices, however, it suffers from poor homogeneity during its synthesis, which is caused by the volatilization of K and Bi of its composition and, consequently, leads to the formation of secondary phases, which can sequester the charge carriers and decrease the efficiency of photovoltaic conversion. Thus, our objective is to evaluate the homogeneity of the powders obtained by the polymeric precursor method, its thermal stability until the formation of secondary phases, and the optical properties. With elemental mapping, it was possible to verify that the powder obtained was highly homogeneous and the band gap of 1.74 eV is within the optimal range for applications involving sunlight. Thus, it was possible to verify that this synthesis method generates highly homogeneous powders and at the temperatures employed does not undergo volatilization of K and Bi.