Effect of Nickel Oxide Thin Films on Photoconversion Efficiency in Zinc Oxide Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract:

ZnO dye-sensitized solar cells (ZnO DSSCs) with different thickness of NiO thin films coated in photo-electrode and counter-electrode were investigated. NiO thin films were prepared by thermal evaporation of NiO onto FTO glass substrate. The films were characterized by FE-SEM. For the photo-electrode, NiO thin films were coated on ZnO with 0.2, 0.6, 1.1 and 2.2 mg to form a barrier layer. For the counter-electrode, NiO thin films were coated on FTO glass with 5.4, 10.8, 16.2 and 21.6 mg in order to increase a surface-to-volume ratio. The photoconversion efficiency of ZnO DSSCs was measured under illumination of stimulated sunlight obtained from solar simulator with the radiant power of 100 mW/cm². It was found that ZnO DSSCs coated with 0.6 mg NiO in photo-electrode and 10.8 mg in counter-electrode exhibited the highest photoconversion efficiency of 1.00% and 0.92%, respectively. The enhancement of photoconversion efficiency with NiO coating maybe explained by decreasing of charge recombination in photo-electrode and increasing of active surface area in counter-electrode.

• Periodical: Materials Science Forum (Volume 695)
• Pages: 509-512
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.695.509
• Online since: July 2011
• Authors: Surat Futemvong, Atip Pengpad, Niyom Hongsith, Duangmanee Wongratanaphisan, Atcharawan Gardchareon, Supab Choopun
• Keywords: Dye Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC), Nickel Oxide (NiO), Photoconversion Efficiency, Thermal Evaporation, Zinc Oxide (ZnO)

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