Dye-sensitized solar cells using anodized ZnO nanowires

David Miles, P J Cameron, D Mattia

Research output: Contribution to conferenceAbstract

Abstract

High aspect ratio metal oxide nanostructures promise to provide increased electron transport and light scattering over nanoparticle films in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs).[1, 2] We have investigated the growth of ZnO nanowires (NWs) on zinc substrates using anodization, a method that benefits from rapid growth, relatively simple apparatus and the ability to control the morphology of the metal oxide nanostructures produced. Through a systematic study of the synthesis conditions, we have been able to tune the morphology of the NW arrays and optimise growth rates to over 3 µm min-1 with NW film thicknesses varying from 1 to 100 μm. The ZnO NW arrays produced by anodization have been applied as working electrodes in back-illuminated DSSCs, linking cell performance to NW structural characteristics and anodization conditions. Nanostructured metal oxides on conductive metallic substrates have previously been reported as an interesting alternative to conventional working electrodes for DSSCs due to their flexibility, which could allow fabrication by low-cost roll-to-roll production.[3, 4]

1. M. Law et al., Nature Mater., 2005, 4, 455-459.
2. J.-Y. Liao et al., Energy Environ. Sci., 2011, 4, 4079-4085.
3. S. Ito et al., Chem. Comm., 2006, 4004-4006.
4. Y.-H. Lai et al., J. Mater. Chem., 2010, 20, 9379-9385.
Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished - 21 Apr 2014
EventMRS Spring Meeting 2014 - California, San Francisco, USA United States
Duration: 21 Apr 201425 Apr 2014

Conference

ConferenceMRS Spring Meeting 2014
Country/TerritoryUSA United States
CitySan Francisco
Period21/04/1425/04/14

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