Photovoltaic Performance of ZnO Nanorod and ZnO : CdO Nanocomposite Layers in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs). (10th October 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Erten-Ela, Sule
• Other Names: Calogero Giuseppe Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: International journal of photoenergy. Volume 2013(2013)
• Publication Date: 2013-10-10
• Subjects: Photochemistry -- Periodicals; Photobiology -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Physical and theoretical -- Periodicals; Photochimie; Photobiologie; Chimie physique et théorique; Chemistry, Physical and theoretical; Photobiology; Photochemistry; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 541.35
• DOI: 10.1155/2013/436831
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1110-662X

Abstract

Abstract : Triphenylene diamine sensitizer comprising donor, electron conducting, and anchoring group is synthesized for a potential application in dye-sensitized solar cells. Absorption spectrum, electrochemical and photovoltaic properties of triphenylene diamine have been investigated. Two different electrodes are used for dye-sensitized solar cells. The performances of ZnO nanorod electrodes are compared to ZnO : CdO nanocomposite electrode. Also, the theoretical calculations for HOMO and LUMO orbitals are used to estimate the photovoltaic properties of organic sensitizer in the design stage. ZnO : CdO nanocomposite electrode-based dye-sensitized solar cell sensitized with organic sensitizer exhibits higher efficiencies than ZnO nanorod electrode. For a typical device, a solar energy conversion efficiency (η ) of 0.80 based on ZnO : CdO nanocomposite is achieved under simulated AM 1.5 solar irradiation (100 mW cm −2 ) with a short circuit photocurrent density (J s c ) of 3.10 mA/cm 2, an open-circuit voltage (V o c ) of 480 mV, and a fill factor (FF) of 0.57. These results suggest that the ZnO : CdO nanocomposite system is a good selection and a promising candidate for electrode system in dye-sensitized solar cells.