Abstract
ZnO nanostructures are synthesized by low-temperature methods, and they possess polycrystalline hexagonal wurtzite structure with preferential c-axial growth. Morphological study by SEM shows the presence of~30 nm sized spherical-shaped ZnO nanoparticle, the branched flower-like ZnO composed of many nanorods (length: 1.2 to 4.2 μm and diameter: 0.3 to 0.4 μm), and~50 nm diameter of individual ZnO nanorods. Reduction in photoemission intensity of nanorods infers the decrease in electron-hole recombination rate, which offers better photovoltaic performance. The dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) based on ZnO nanorods sensitized with Eosin yellowish dye exhibits a maximum optimal energy conversion efficiency of 0.163% compared to that of nanoparticles and nanoflowers, due to better dye loading and direct conduction pathway for electron transport.
Highlights
As a novel renewable and clean solar to electricity conversion system, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) offer the hope of fabricating photovoltaic devices showing high efficiency at low cost with simple fabricating process, as an alternative to conventional p-n junction photovoltaic devices [1]
Rani et al [17] showed the influence of pH value of ZnO sol on the performance of DSSC and achieved the efficiency of 1.11% for pH-9 under gel electrolyte medium
All the peaks in ZnO nanoflower-like nanorods (ZnO NF) are high intense and narrower than ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and NR, which indicate that the former has higher crystallinity than latter
Summary
As a novel renewable and clean solar to electricity conversion system, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) offer the hope of fabricating photovoltaic devices showing high efficiency at low cost with simple fabricating process, as an alternative to conventional p-n junction photovoltaic devices [1]. A noticeable way for achieving higher efficiency is to use 1D nanostructure such as nanorods (NRs), nanowires (NWs), branched nanoflowers (NFs), and nanotubes (NTs), which will provide direct conduction pathway for electron transport from the point of generation to the collection electrode and maintain high surface area for dye adsorption [6]. Several techniques such as electrodeposition, thermal evaporation technique, and solution phase synthesis, have been followed to develop nanostructures of different oxide materials. As an application of the synthesized material, eosin yellowish (EY) dye-sensitized DSSCs based on it are fabricated successfully and the cell performance is characterized by employing PEObased solid-state electrolyte
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