Abstract
This paper reports the performance of alizarin based SnO2 dye-sensitized solar cells. A novel template assisted method has been applied for the preparation of tin oxide nanoparticles. For the first time, onion (Allium cepa) was used as a template for the synthesis of tin oxide nanostructures at different pH values. Tin oxide nanostructures were used for the photoanode preparation. A sandwich cell was prepared by using the dye soaked SnO2 film as a photoanode and platinum as a counter electrode. The structural, morphological and optical properties of the nanoparticles were studied using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron microscope (SEM), Photoluminescence (PL), Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) spectra and UV–visible spectroscopic techniques. Current–voltage (I–V) characteristics have been measured using electrochemical workstation under the presence of solar illumination. Characteristic parameters of the fabricated cell were determined on the basis of the measured I–V curves.
Highlights
Current energy requirements can be met by the mankind by utilizing renewable energy to extract electrical energy and among the renewable resources; solar plays a vital role and solar cells convert the sun light into electrical energy
SnO2 nanostructures are prepared for the dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) fabrication by template assisted method and the structure, luminescence properties and morphology are studied by using X-ray diffraction, infrared absorption, UV – Vis, Photoluminescence spectroscopic studies and Field emission scanning electron microscopic studies and reported
The results obtained with the DSSC fabricated using SnO2 nanostructure prepared with onion template at pH 9 were found to be better than the other reports
Summary
Current energy requirements can be met by the mankind by utilizing renewable energy to extract electrical energy and among the renewable resources; solar plays a vital role and solar cells convert the sun light into electrical energy. The fabrication cost of the solar cell is highly expensive. This provides a platform for the researchers to work on the fabrication of cost effective and high performance solar cells. Most of the ongoing DSSC research work is based on TiO2 used as Photoanode of dye sensitized solar cell [3]. Cost effective approach to control the size and morphology of the nanostructures can be achieved with the help of templates. Effect of pH will play role in controlling the structure In this present study, SnO2 nanostructures are prepared for the DSSC fabrication by template assisted method and the structure, luminescence properties and morphology are studied by using X-ray diffraction, infrared absorption, UV – Vis, Photoluminescence spectroscopic studies and Field emission scanning electron microscopic studies and reported
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