Anugrah Pratama Supriyono, Nadiya Miftachul Chusna, Arif Hidayat, Sunaryono Sunaryono
rGO/Fe3O4 nanocomposites were prepared through the solid-state technique by adjusting FeCl2 and FeCl3 volumes (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 ml). The structural, chemical, morphological, and optical properties of the nanocomposites were investigated using XRD, FTIR, SEM, and UV-Vis Spectroscopy. The synthesized rGO/Fe3O4 nanocomposite was deposited on an FTO substrate through drop coating to fabricate a CE plate, which was then tested using a solar simulator with FTO/TiO2 serving as the photoanode. The XRD patterns of the rGO/Fe3O4 nanocomposite showed consistency with COD data number 3000327. Calculations using Debye's Scherrer equation demonstrated that Fe3O4 crystal size diminished as Fe3O4 concentration increased. The FTIR analysis confirmed the existence of C=C and Fe-O bonds, characteristic of rGO and Fe3O4 particles' functional groups. As FeCl2 and FeCl3 concentrations increased from 1 ml to 5 ml, the band gap energy of the rGO/Fe3O4 nanocomposite expanded from 3.14 eV to 3.39 eV. This band gap energy expansion correlated with improved DSSC solar cell performance, with efficiency increasing from 0.003% (RF1) to 0.097% (RF5), suggesting catalytic activity supporting electrolyte regeneration in DSSC solar cells. © 2025 Trans Tech Publications Ltd, All Rights Reserved.
Department of Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Malang, Jl. Semarang No. 5, Malang, 65145, Indonesia; Mions Laboratory, PT Cakra Mions Teknologi (Persero), Jl. Puntodewo No. 3 Blimbing, Malang, Indonesia; PUI-Centre of Advanced Materials for Renewable Energy (CAMRY), Universitas Negeri Malang, Jl. Semarang No. 5, Malang, 65145, Indonesia
