Effect of dye absorption time on performance of ZnO, TiO2 and ‎SnO2 nanoparticle photo-anodes in dye sensitized solar cell

Abstract

Interior design, engineering, and the configuration of materials used in photo‏-‏anode systems play ‎key roles in the photovoltaic performance of dye solar cells.‎‏ ‏In this study, the photo-anodes of dye sensitized ‎solar cells were fabricated based on TiO2, ZnO and SnO2 nanoparticles separately using doctor Blade method ‎on the transparent conductive oxide as substrates, then sensitized with N719 dye. Due to the fact that the dye ‎plays the role of photon absorption, different photo‏-‏anode oxides were placed in a N719 dye solution over a ‎different time period.‎‏ ‏Based on current-voltage curve, efficiency parameter, short-circuit current density, ‎open circuit voltage, and fill factor of the cells were obtained. The results of current-voltage characterization ‎indicate that the best time for the N719 dye loading for the TiO2 and SnO2 layers is 20 h and for the ZnO layer ‎is 1 h.‎‎