Author: Samira Almalki
Almalki, Samira, 2016 Synthesis of Molybdenum Disulfide, and Preparation of Hybrid Molybdenum Disulfide/Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes–n-type Silicon Solar Cells, Flinders University, School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
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Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is a two-dimensional material from the layered
transition-metal dichalcogenides semiconductor family (LTMDs), which involves two
hexagonal layers of sulfur (S) and an intermediate hexagonal layer of molybdenum (Mo).
MoS2 has a band gap structure that is sensitive to strain and also has high carrier mobility.
The band gap’s nature changes from indirect to direct in single monolayers associated with
the decrease in the material thickness. The chemical exfoliation of the MoS2 to form single
monolayers will activate its optical properties and allows its use in innovative devices.
Therefore, combining MoS2 and CNTs will provide novel photovoltaic devices. In this study,
molybdenum disulfide is exfoliated using lithium intercalation, which is then characterised
using AFM, SEM, and Raman. The MoS2 layer thickness was ~1-100 nm while the flake’s
lateral dimensions range from ~100-500 nm. From Raman spectrum the MoS2 characteristic
peaks emerge at ~385 cm-1 and ~405 cm-1 which correspond to E1 , and A vibrations modes 2g 1g
respectively. The purpose of this research is to use the molybdenum disulfide in SWCNTs-n- type silicon based solar cells. This addition enhanced the solar cell efficiencies from ~7 % for CNT-Si cells to ~10 % for MoS2/CNT-n-Si cells.
Keywords: MoS2, SWCNTs, Solar Cells
Subject: Chemistry thesis, Physics thesis
Thesis type: Masters
Completed: 2016
School: School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Supervisor: Prof. Joe Shapter