Spray pyrolytic deposition of α-MoO₃ film and its use in dye-sensitized solar cell

Thermal decomposition of ammonium para molybdate tetrahydrate precursor has been studied to determine degradation temperatures in air atmosphere. Current work explores the synthesis of α-MoO₃ films by an economical spray pyrolysis technique using ammonium para molybdate tetrahydrate precursor in the presence of compressed air. A variety of characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared, and Raman spectroscopy were carried out, and the studies have confirmed that orthorhombic phase formation of MoO₃ takes place with spongy mesh-type structure. The study of electro-catalytic activity of α-MoO₃ in titania-based dye-sensitized solar cell is also carried out by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and Tafel curves to evaluate its performance as a counter electrode. (orig.)