Influence of Synthesis Temperature on the Properties of SnO₂ Thin Films via Hydrothermal Precipitation Method

Abstract:

To provide reference for optimizing the photoelectric conversion efficiency, we studied the effects of salt–alkali molar ratio on the properties of tin oxide nanofilms. We found that when the hydrothermal temperature was increased to 80 °C, the film growth was not complete. With a hydrothermal temperature of 120 °C, the film became more complete and structured. However, at 160 °C, thick and very irregular tin dioxide (SnO₂) crystal particles were deposited on the FTO conductive glass surface. With the increase in heat treatment temperature, crystallization became more and more dense and complete. At 80 °C hydrothermal temperature, the simulated peak of the surface and number of peaks became smaller. However, they significantly increased with a hydrothermal temperature of 120 °C. When the hydrothermal temperature was at 160 °C, the surface simulated peak increased, but the number of peaks decreased. Moreover, the diameter of each peak was greatly increased. The film obtained via the hydrothermal method was relatively pure, and Sn(OH)₃ was not completely converted into SnO₂.

• Periodical: Solid State Phenomena (Volume 281)
• Pages: 699-704
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/SSP.281.699
• Online since: August 2018
• Authors: Yue Liu, Jia Zhang, Cai Liang Pang, Zong Li Wang, Jin Shi Li, Da Deng, Jie Guang Song, Lin Chen, Cheng Wei Hao
• Keywords: Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells, Hydrothermal Precipitation Method, SnO₂ Film, Synthesis Temperature

References

[1] X. Ma, X. Y. Ni, Using upconversion nanoparticles to improve photovoltaic properties of poly(3-hexylthiophene)-TiO2 heterojunction solar cell, J. Nanopart. Res. 15 (2013) 1547-1553.

DOI: 10.1007/s11051-013-1547-z

[2] J.G. Song, L. Hua, Q. Shen, Effect of pH value on the properties of SnO2 nano-cystalline for dye sensitized solar cells, Key Eng. Mater. 633 (2015) 273-276.

DOI: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/kem.633.273

[3] W.Y. Shi, B.S. Peng, Y.Y. Guo, Synthesis of asymmetric zinc phthalocyanine with bulky diphenylthiophenol substituents and its photovoltaic performance for dye-sensitized solar cells, J. Photochem. Photobiol. A: Chem. 321 (2016) 248-256.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotochem.2016.02.009

[4] L.J. Li, C.L. Wang, J.Y. Liao, Arumugam manthiram dual-template synthesis of N-doped macro/mesoporous carbon with an open-pore structure as a metal-free catalyst for dye-sensitized solar cells, J. Power Sourc. 300 (2015) 254-260.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2015.09.076

[5] J.G. Song, R.H. Wang, X.Q Wang, M.H Xu, M.L Ma, Preparation of superfine alumina powders via hydrothermal method, Key Eng. Mater. 726 (2017) 184-188.

DOI: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/kem.726.184

[6] J. Du, F. Bittner, D.S. Hecht, A carbon nanotube-based transparent conductive substrate for flexible ZnO dye-sensitized solar cells, Thin Solid Film. 531 (2013) 391-397.

DOI: 10.1016/j.tsf.2012.12.051

[7] S.A. Mozaffari, M. Ranjbar, E. Kouhestanian, An investigation on the effect of electrodeposited nanostructured ZnO on the electron transfer process efficiency of TiO2 based DSSC, Mater. Sci. Semicond. Process. 40 (2015) 285-292.

DOI: 10.1016/j.mssp.2015.06.081

[8] J.T Park, C.S Lee, J.H. Kim, High performance electrocatalyst consisting of CoS nanoparticles on an organized mesoporous SnO2 film: its use as a counter electrode for Pt-free, dye-sensitized solar cells, Nanoscale. 7 (2015) 670-678.

DOI: 10.1039/c4nr05779a

[9] A. Abdelkrim, S. Rahmane, O. Abdelouahab, Effect of solution concentration on the structural, optical and electrical properties of SnO2 thin films prepared by spray pyrolysis, Int. J. Light Elect. Optic. 127 (2016) 2653-2658.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijleo.2015.11.232

[10] R. Li, Y. Zhao, R.E. Hou, Enhancement of power conversion efficiency of dye sensitized solar cells by modifying mesoporous TiO2 photoanode with Al-doped TiO2 layer, J. Photochem. Photobiol. A: Chem. 319 (2016) 62-69.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotochem.2016.01.002

[11] J.G. Song, X.Q. Wang, F. Wang, S.B. Li, L, Chen, Influence of synthesis process on coated properties of Al(OH)3-Y(OH)3/ZrB2 composite powders, Key Eng. Mater. 726 (2017) 164-168.

DOI: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/kem.726.164