Rice Husk Ash–derived Silica Nanoparticles as Eco-friendly Sensitizers for Enhanced Solar Photovoltaic Performance
J. Environ. Nanotechnol., Volume 15, No 1 (March 2026) pp. 634-642
Abstract
Nanostructured silica has attracted considerable attention due to its high surface area, tunable physicochemical properties, and wide applicability in electronic, catalytic, and biomedical systems. In this study, high-purity silica nanoparticles were synthesized from rice husk ash through a thermo-chemical route, providing a value-added strategy for agricultural waste utilization. The novelty of this work lies in the development of rice husk-derived silica nanoparticles as sensitizing materials for photovoltaic applications. Structural and morphological properties of the synthesized material were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopic, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy. FT-IR spectra showed characteristic peak at 779 and 1112 cm⁻¹, confirming the formation of an amorphous silica network, while XRD exhibited a broad diffraction peak at 2θ = 21.57°, indicating the amorphous nature of the material. The XRF analysis confirmed ~100% silica purity, and TEM images revealed uniform particles with sizes below 10 nm and mesoporous morphology. Photovoltaic performance evaluation demonstrated enhanced voltage generation under sunlight irradiation compared with green-synthesized carbon nanoparticles and the conventional dye Coomassie Brilliant Blue. These findings suggest that rice husk-derived silica nanoparticles can serve as promising eco-friendly sensitizing materials for sustainable photovoltaic applications.
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