TiO2 nanorod arrays/ZnO nanosheets heterostructured photoanode for quantum-dot-sensitized solar cells. (15th May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Yang; Zhong, Xiangli; Zhang, Dongguo; Duan, Weijie; Li, Xiaolei; Zheng, Shuaizhi; Wang, Jinbin
• Is Part Of: Solar energy. Volume 166(2018)
• Page Start: 371
• Page End: 378
• Publication Date: 2018-05-15
• Subjects: TiO2 nanorod arrays -- ZnO nanosheets -- Quantum-dot-sensitized solar cells -- Chemical bath deposition method -- Photoanodes; Solar energy -- Periodicals; Solar engines -- Periodicals; 621.47
• DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2018.03.056
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0038-092X

Abstract

Highlights: A novel three-dimensional heterogeneous structure (TiO2 nanorod arrays/ZnO nanosheets). The thickness of the ZnO nanosheets is optimized by adjusting the grow temperature. The PCE of QDSCs based on this novel photoanode increased by 260%. Abstract: The three-dimensional heterostructured photoanode is considered to be an effective way to solve the problems of insufficient specific surface area and high electron recombination rate from one-dimensional nanomaterials. By combining the advantages of nanorods and nanosheets, we construct a novel TiO2 nanorod arrays/ZnO nanosheets (TNRAs/ZNSs) heterostructure as the photoanode in quantum-dot-sensitied solar cells (QDSSCs) by a controllable chemical bath deposition method at an appropriate temperature. The photoelectrochemical properties are measured by UV–Vis absorption spectra, current density–voltage ( J-V), open-circuit voltage attenuation test ( V-t ) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results reveal that the TNRAs/ZNSs photoanode has larger specific surface area and slower electronic recombination rate, and its power conversion efficiency increases by 260% compared with TNRAs-based QDSSCs. This three-dimensional heterostructure exhibits distinct advantages and we believe that it can be used in other photoelectronic devices.