Low temperature growth of hybrid ZnO/TiO sub(2) nano-sculptured foxtail-structures for dye-sensitized solar cells

ZnO/TiO sub(2) nano-sculptured foxtail-structures were fabricated using two sequential low-temperature processes combining hydrothermal growth of ZnO nanorods (NRs) and plasma ion assisted evaporation of crystalline TiO sub(2) nanostructures. The ZnO NRs were homogeneously covered with a thin layer...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:RSC advances 2014-11, Vol.4 (105), p.61153-61159
Main Authors: Zhao, Chao, Child, David, Hu, Yue, Robertson, Neil, Gibson, Des, Wang, Shun Cai, Fu, Yong Qing
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Dyes
Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
Hybrid structures
Nanostructure
Photovoltaic cells
Solar cells
Titanium dioxide
Zinc oxide
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Summary:ZnO/TiO sub(2) nano-sculptured foxtail-structures were fabricated using two sequential low-temperature processes combining hydrothermal growth of ZnO nanorods (NRs) and plasma ion assisted evaporation of crystalline TiO sub(2) nanostructures. The ZnO NRs were homogeneously covered with a thin layer of anatase TiO sub(2) nanostructure to form nano-sculptured foxtail-like patterns. Power conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells made from these hybrid ZnO/TiO sub(2) structures was improved from 0.3% to 1.8% after using the ZnO/TiO sub(2) hybrid structure. Measurement using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and photocurrent decay proved that the hybrid structures have good electron transport capability, because the ZnO NRs can provide a direct pathway for charge transport; the TiO sub(2) layer can improve charge injection and prevent the formation of Zn super(2+)/dye complex (thus reducing the recombination); the hybrid structures can further increase surface area (thus higher dye loading).
ISSN:2046-2069
DOI:10.1039/c4ra11881b