Self-Assembled ZnO Nanosheet-Based Spherical Structure as Photoanode in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

• Published in: Journal of electronic materials 2018-03, Vol.47 (3), p.1993-1999
• Main Authors: Ameri, Mohsen, Raoufi, Meysam, Zamani-Meymian, M.-R., Samavat, Feridoun, Fathollahi, M.-R., Mohajerani, Ezeddin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Dye-sensitized solar cells; Dyes; Electrical measurement; Electronics and Microelectronics; Energy conversion efficiency; Instrumentation; Light scattering; Materials research; Materials Science; Materials selection; Nanosheets; Nanostructure; Optical and Electronic Materials; Photoanodes; Photovoltaic cells; Quantum dots; Self-assembly; Solid State Physics; Surface area; Zinc oxide
• ISSN: 0361-5235; 1543-186X
• DOI: 10.1007/s11664-017-6000-0

High surface area and enhanced light scattering of ZnO nanosheet aggregates have made them a promising active layer candidate material for fabrication of nanostructure dye-sensitized solar cells. Here, we propose a facile preparation method of such ZnO nanosheet structures, and in order to verify their applicability as photoanode material for dye-sensitized solar cells, we employ morphological, optical, structural and electrical measurements. The results reveal the high surface area available for dye molecules for enhancing adsorption, high light scattering and competitive power conversion efficiencies compared to the works in literature. Finally, the device is optimized with respect to the photoanode thickness. The favorable features shown here can extend the application of the structure to other types of sensitization-based perovskite and quantum dot solar cells.