Variation of flatband potential of oxide nanocrystalline particles with core-shell structured semiconductor-MgO composites

Abstract

SnO2 thin films and particles show feeble solar cell performance and poor photocatalytic activity respectively. It has been reported that coating of a thin MgO layer on SnO2 particles results in enhancement of both solar cell performance and catalytic activities. The promoting effect of MgO layer was owing to barrier effect where MgO acts as a barrier layer for charge recombination. We noticed negative shift of flatband (FB) potential of SnO2 with the increase of pH values and coating of a thin MgO layer on SnO2 particles. It is shown how the negative shift in FB potential may contribute to enhance the solar cell efficiencies and photocatalytic activity in addition to the barrier effect of MgO layer.