Enhanced photovoltaic performance of quantum dot-sensitized solar cell fabricated using Al-doped ZnO nanorod electrode

Abstract

ZnO and Al doped ZnO nanorods have been successfully synthesized on ITO substrate via solgel dip coating method without using any catalyst. The X-ray diffraction studies showed that the Al doped ZnO samples are of hexagonal wurtzite structure. The Al ions were successfully incorporated into the ZnO lattice. Scanning electron microscopy images reveal that the average diameter of ZnO nanorods and Al doped ZnO nanorods are ∼300nm and ∼200nm respectively. The energy dispersive X-ray (EDS) analysis confirmed the presence Al in the ZnO thin films. The CdS quantum dot sensitized Al doped ZnO solar cell exhibited a power conversion efficiency of 1.5%.