Abstract
The flakes-, hexagons-, nanoparticle-, and flower-like ZnO nanostructures have been synthesized via different surfactant-assisted precipitation routes. The XRD of all ZnO nanostructures is hexagonal single crystalline in nature and the UV–Vis absorption spectra showed blue shift in wavelength corresponding to bulk. The synthesized zinc-oxide nanopowders were used to fabricate dye solar cells sensitized by N719 dye. The comparative study of cells prepared by above ZnO nanopowders has been done. The highest conversion efficiency (2.48 %) for the cell is shown by flower-like ZnO than the others. The difference in photovoltaic parameters for the ZnO nanopowders is due to the difference in surfactants which directly correlate with surface area and dye loading.
Highlights
Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are one of the most promising candidates for future green energy alternative due to their facile, low-cost, and environmentally friendly fabrication process (O’Regan and Gratzel 1991; Zhang and Cao 2011; Duong et al 2013; Xu et al 2013)
The difference in photovoltaic parameters for the ZnO nanopowders is due to the difference in surfactants which directly correlate with surface area and dye loading
The different surfactants used in the synthesis provided different architectures for the ZnO as well as offered different surface areas
Summary
Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are one of the most promising candidates for future green energy alternative due to their facile, low-cost, and environmentally friendly fabrication process (O’Regan and Gratzel 1991; Zhang and Cao 2011; Duong et al 2013; Xu et al 2013). The platinum counter electrode was prepared by deposition of Pt catalyst (T/SP paste, Solaronix SA) using screen printing method on conductive glass plate and annealing at 400 °C for half an hour in air. For sandwich-type DSSC assembly, dye-modified ZnO photoanode and platinum-coated counter electrode were positioned over each other in face-to-face sandwich manner leaving the space for making contact, to connect with external load. This assembly was sealed from three sides using the spacer leaving one side open through which the electrolyte solution The electron transport properties were investigated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) with 10 mV alternative signal in the frequency range of 10-2 to 105 Hz
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