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Enhancement of Open Circuit Voltage of a ZnO‐Based Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cell by Means of Piezotronic Effect
Author(s) -
Bettini Simona,
Pagano Rosanna,
Valli Ludovico,
Giancane Gabriele
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
chemistry – an asian journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.18
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1861-471X
pISSN - 1861-4728
DOI - 10.1002/asia.201501325
Subject(s) - dye sensitized solar cell , wurtzite crystal structure , materials science , open circuit voltage , piezoelectricity , zinc , solar cell , semiconductor , optoelectronics , ruthenium , wide bandgap semiconductor , voltage , electrode , composite material , chemistry , electrical engineering , metallurgy , biochemistry , electrolyte , engineering , catalysis
Two of the most known properties of ZnO were used to improve the performance of a dye‐sensitized solar cell (DSSC) using a nanoadduct formed by zinc oxide and the well‐known ruthenium dye N719. The wurtzite form of zinc oxide suffers from piezoelectricity and its energetic levels are very similar to those of the most used inorganic semiconductor employed in DSSCs, that is, TiO 2 . We demonstrate that the synthesis of a ZnO@N719 nanoadduct does not affect the electronic communication between the inorganic semiconductor and the organic dye. The I – V characteristics in the dark and under illumination highlight a photoactivity of the ZnO@N719 active layer with values of J sc , V oc and fill factor comparable to the data reported in the literature. When a mechanical strain is applied to the ZnO@N719 film, a piezopotential is recorded and it depends on the intensity of the applied pressure. According to the piezotronic effect, mechanical strain contributes to increase the open circuit voltage by about 14 %.