Fabrication of a ZnO film with a mosaic structure for a high efficient dye-sensitized solar cell
Journal
Journal of Materials Chemistry
Journal Volume
20
Journal Issue
42
Pages
9379-9385
Date Issued
2010
Author(s)
Abstract
A flexible photoanode with zinc oxide film on titanium foil was prepared and its application in a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) was investigated. The ZnO film with a mosaic structure, composed of densely packed ZnO nanosheets (ZnONS), was obtained by calcining a film of layered hydroxide zinc carbonate (LHZC), which was previously grown directly on a Ti foil via chemical bath deposition (CBD). The highly porous ZnONS film with a film thickness of about 25 μm could be facilely prepared within 4 h under CBD conditions. Owing to the intrinsic properties of the ZnONS film, i.e., high porosity, high surface area, and effective electron transport, a solar-to-electricity conversion efficiency (η) of 5.41% was achieved for the pertinent back-illuminated DSSC, which is the highest ever reported value for a back-illuminated DSSC based on a ZnO photoanode. The effect of the sputtering time of platinum (Pt) and iodine concentration on the photovoltaic performance of the DSSC were also investigated. Films on the substrates were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Transmission spectra were obtained to characterize Pt films. Electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS) were obtained to analyze the charge transfer resistance and Warburg diffusion process in the DSSCs. Incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) curves were used to support the behavior of short-circuit photocurrent (JSC) of DSSCs and also to calculate its values. Electron lifetimes in photoanodes were determined using Bode-phase plots. © 2010 The Royal Society of Chemistry.
SDGs
Other Subjects
Back-illuminated; Charge transfer resistance; Chemical-bath deposition; Diffusion process; Dye-Sensitized solar cell; Dye-sensitized solar cells; Electrochemical impedance spectra; Electron lifetime; Electron transport; High porosity; High surface area; Incident photon-to-current conversion efficiencies; Intrinsic property; Iodine concentration; Layered hydroxide zinc carbonates; Mosaic structure; Phase plot; Photo-anodes; Photoanode; Photovoltaic performance; Pt films; SEM; Short-circuit photocurrent; Sputtering time; TEM; Ti foil; Titanium foils; Transmission spectrums; ZnO; ZnO films; ZnO nanosheets; Calcination; Charge transfer; Conversion efficiency; Electric properties; Electrochemical corrosion; Electrons; Film preparation; Iodine; Ion exchange; Metallic films; Oxide films; Photoelectrochemical cells; Platinum; Scanning electron microscopy; Sputtering; Titanium; Titanium oxides; Transmission electron microscopy; X ray diffraction; Zinc; Zinc oxide; Solar cells
Type
journal article