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High‐Efficiency Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells Based on a ZnO Nanorod/ Nanosheet Hierarchical Structure
Author(s) -
Cheng Houyan,
Wang Yanxiang,
Guo Pingchun,
Yang Zhisheng
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
energy technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.91
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 2194-4296
pISSN - 2194-4288
DOI - 10.1002/ente.201700687
Subject(s) - dye sensitized solar cell , nanorod , dielectric spectroscopy , materials science , photocurrent , energy conversion efficiency , nanosheet , chemical engineering , open circuit voltage , electrolyte , absorption spectroscopy , hydrothermal synthesis , spectroscopy , short circuit , electrochemistry , electrode , optoelectronics , nanotechnology , hydrothermal circulation , chemistry , voltage , optics , physics , quantum mechanics , engineering
An aqueous solution of Zn(NO 3 ) 2 ⋅6 H 2 O‐C 6 H 2 N 4 ‐PEI and Zn(NO 3 ) 2 ⋅6 H 2 O‐CO(NH 2 ) 2 is used as the raw materials to fabricate hierarchically structured films of ZnO nanorods/nanosheets (ZnO NRs/NSs) via a two‐step hydrothermal synthesis. The films of ZnO NRs/NSs are then applied as photoanodes for application in dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The current density–voltage curves and the incident monochromatic photon‐to‐electron conversion efficiency of DSSCs are measured. Using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, intensity modulated photovoltage spectroscopy, and intensity modulated photocurrent spectroscopy, the conditions of the internal electron transport and transfer of ZnO‐based DSSCs are tested and analyzed. The results indicate that the ZnO NRs/NSs photoanodes have properties of rapid electron transport and high electron collection efficiency and show a relatively large amount of dye absorption. Therefore, for DSSCs based on ZnO NRs/NSs with liquid electrolyte, the short‐circuit current density ( J sc ), open‐circuit voltage ( V oc ), fill factor (FF), and photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) are 11.82 mA cm −2 , 0.66 V, 0.58, and 4.59 %, respectively. The PCE of the DSSCs is improved by 178.18 % compared to that of pure ZnO NRs cells (1.65 %) and is improved by 21.42 % with respect to pure ZnO NSs cells (3.78 %).