Low temperature growth of hybrid ZnO/TiO2 nanosculptured foxtail-structures for dye-sensitized solar cells

Zhao, Chao, Child, David, Robertson, Neil, Gilbson, Des, Wang, Shuncai and Fu, Yong Qing (2014) Low temperature growth of hybrid ZnO/TiO2 nanosculptured foxtail-structures for dye-sensitized solar cells. RSC Advances, 105, 61153-61159. (doi:10.1039/c4ra11881b).

Abstract

ZnO/TiO2 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 TiO2 nanostructures. The ZnO NRs were homogeneously covered with a thin layer of anatase TiO2 nanostructure to form nano-sculptured foxtail-like patterns. Power conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells made from these hybrid ZnO/TiO2 structures was improved from 0.3% to 1.8% after using the ZnO/TiO2 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 TiO2 layer can improve charge injection and prevent the formation of Zn2+/dye complex (thus reducing the ecombination); the hybrid structures can further increase surface area (thus higher dye loading)

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