Optimization of ZnO-Coated TiO₂ Working Electrode and Application in a Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell

Abstract:

This study investigates the optimization of a ZnO-coated TiO₂ working electrode and the effect of this hybrid electrode on the power conversion efficiency of a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). This electrode was fabricated by dipping the TiO₂ electrode with the TiCl₄ treatment in a solution of zinc acetate dehydrate [Zn (CH₃COO)₂2H₂ and ethanol. The effect of the concentration of Zn (CH₃COO)₂2H₂O on the band gap of a working electrode and on the power conversion efficiency of a DSSC was also examined. As the concentration of ZnO decreased to 0.002 from 0.004 mol/L, the band gap of the working electrode decreased to 3.08 eV from 3.87 eV, and the power conversion efficiency () of the DSSC increased to 3.8573% from 3.3514%. Interestingly, the of DSSC with a ZnO-coated TiO₂ hybrid electrode substantially exceeded that of the conventional DSSC due to TiO₂ orbital hybridization and an energy barrier between ZnO and TiO₂ that suppressed the electron recombination.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volume 481)
• Pages: 117-120
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.481.117
• Online since: December 2013
• Authors: Chuen Shii Chou*, Takaharu Watanabe, Yan Hao Huang, Ping Wu
• Keywords: Band Gap, Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell, Efficiency, ZnO-Coated Working Electrode

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