Structural Refinement and Optoelectrical Properties of NdRuO and GdRuO Pyrochlore Oxides for Photovoltaic Applications.

High-performance photovoltaic devices require active photoanodes with superior optoelectric properties. In this study, we synthesized neodymium ruthenate, NdRuO (NRO), and gadolinium ruthenate pyrochlore oxides, GdRuO (GRO), via the solid-state reaction technique, showcasing their potential as promising candidates for photoanode absorbers to enhance the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells. A structural analysis revealed predominantly cubic symmetry phases for both materials within the - space group, along with residual orthorhombic symmetry phases (NdRuO and GdRuO, respectively) refined in the space group. Raman spectroscopy further confirmed these phases, identifying distinct active modes of vibration in the predominant pyrochlore oxides. Additionally, a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) elucidated the morphology and chemical composition of the compounds. The average grain size was determined to be approximately 0.5 µm for GRO and 1 µm for NRO. Electrical characterization via I-V measurements revealed that these pyrochlore oxides exhibit n-type semiconductor behavior, with conductivity estimated at 1.5 (Ohm·cm) for GRO and 4.5 (Ohm·cm) for NRO. Collectively, these findings position these metallic oxides as promising absorber materials for solar panels.