Fabrication and characterization of dye-sensitized solar cells based on nanostructured ZnO photoanodes

In this study zinc oxide nanoparticles were synthesized by chemical precipitation route at room temperature. Then as-prepared nanopowder was calcined at different temperatures of 300, 400, 500 and 600 °C. To find out the effect of calcination, the samples were analyzed by X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD), Fourier Transform Infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR) and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results represent an increase of crystallinity by increasing calcination temperature. The largest particle size of 42.25 nm belonged to the sample calcined at 600 °C. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) analysis was carried out to find out the morphology of the ZnO photoanodes. It was found that the layers have nanosheet morphology. Then, the cells were assembled with N719 dye and different dipping time. The functionality of cells was tested at standard condition (1.5 AM). The best result belonged to the cell which prepared with the sample calcined at 300 °C, with (open circuit voltage) V _oc = 0.186 V, (short circuit current) J _sc = 0.388 mA/cm², (fill factor) FF = 0.42 and (efficiency) η = 0.031%.