Performance of ZnO/ZnS nanocomposite based dye-sensitized solar cell with chitosan-polymer electrolyte

Abstract

Chitosan is a biodegradable and nontoxic polymer and it exhibits piezoelectricity, which is a useful property for an electrolyte where the phototronic effect can be activated to enhance the power conversion efficiency (PCE) in solar cells. This is used here as an electrolyte in ZnO/ZnS based dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Also, to reduce the recombination of electrons, enhanced ionic conductivity and the stability of the redox this electrolyte is used. Here, ZnO/ZnS nanocomposite photo-anode is used in the fabrication of DSSCs and tested with LED lamp for the chitosan-based polymer electrolyte. The maximum PCE of 1.6% is achieved.