Enhancing the Photocatalytic Activity of a TiO2/Ag3VO4 Hybrid Composite for Optoelectronic and Solar Energy Conversion Applications

Abstract

Multifunctional materials have garnered significant attention in the modern electronics and energy storage fields because of their diverse properties and wide range of applications. In this study, we synthesized TiO2/Ag3VO4 hybrid composite materials that possess dual functionality, enabling them to perform multiple tasks or exhibit distinct behaviors simultaneously. Herein, we synthesized TiO2/Ag3VO4 at different weight percentages of Ag3VO4, namely 0%, 10%, 15%, and 20% Ag3VO4-incorporated TiO2 hybrid composite material, by a facile hydrothermal approach. A mixture of anatase and rutile crystalline phases of TiO2 and the cubic phase of Ag3VO4 was confirmed by powder x-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra. The direct band gap of pristine TiO2 (3.15 eV) was markedly decreased to 2.41 eV for the 20% Ag3VO4-incorporated TiO2 sample. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results for the composite demonstrate that the appropriate amount of Ag3VO4 effectively disperses the sheets and prevents the aggregation of TiO2 nanospheres. The elemental composition and stoichiometric ratios of hybrid samples were analyzed using energy-dispersive x-ray analysis (EDAX). Current–voltage (I–V) characteristic analysis showed that the sensing parameters of the TiO2 thin films were improved by Ag3VO4 incorporation. The highest conductivity and carrier concentration were achieved with 20% Ag3VO4-incorporated TiO2, with values of 4.753 × 103 S/cm and 7.46 × 1019 cm−3, respectively. For solar energy conversion applications, the efficiency of TiO2/Ag3VO4 as a photoanode in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) was investigated. Interestingly, 20% Ag3VO4-incorporated TiO2 exhibited improved photo-conversion efficiency of 8.76% relative to pristine TiO2 and other hybrid samples. This improved performance of the TiO2/Ag3VO4 hybrid material in terms of photo-detection and photoanode behavior can be attributed to the synergistic effect between the two components, which leads to enhanced light harvesting properties. The valuable insights from our study can guide the design of materials for photosensors and photoanodes, with broad implications for the energy storage and electronics industries. These findings hold potential benefits for diverse applications in these fields.