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

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 TiO/AgVO hybrid composite materials that possess dual functionality, enabling them to perform multiple tasks or exhibit distinct behaviors simultaneously. Herein, we synthesized TiO/AgVO at different weight percentages of AgVO, namely 0%, 10%, 15%, and 20% AgVO-incorporated TiO hybrid composite material, by a facile hydrothermal approach. A mixture of anatase and rutile crystalline phases of TiO and the cubic phase of AgVO was confirmed by powder x-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra. The direct band gap of pristine TiO (3.15 eV) was markedly decreased to 2.41 eV for the 20% AgVO-incorporated TiO sample. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results for the composite demonstrate that the appropriate amount of AgVO effectively disperses the sheets and prevents the aggregation of TiO 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 TiO thin films were improved by AgVO incorporation. The highest conductivity and carrier concentration were achieved with 20% AgVO-incorporated TiO, with values of 4.753 × 10 S/cm and 7.46 × 10 cm, respectively. For solar energy conversion applications, the efficiency of TiO/AgVO as a photoanode in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) was investigated. Interestingly, 20% AgVO-incorporated TiO exhibited improved photo-conversion efficiency of 8.76% relative to pristine TiO and other hybrid samples. This improved performance of the TiO/AgVO 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.