Preparation and optoelectrical characterization of a solar cell electrode based on ZnO nanowires sensitized with Ru complexes

VEGA, NADIA; MECCHIA ORTIZ, JUAN; KATZ, NÉSTOR E.; TIRADO, MONICA; COMEDI, DAVID

Donostia-San Sebastian

Simposio; 24th International Symposium on Metastable, Amorphous and Nanostructured Materials: ISMANAM 2017; 2017

Universidad del País Vasco

During recent decades, great efforts have been applied in the quest for technologies for conversion of solar energy into electrical energy in efficient and innovative ways and with low economic and environmental costs. Solar cells of the Grätzel type, also called DSSC (dye-sensitized solar cells), have been considerably studied, since they are inexpensive and very easy to manufacture. These solar cells convert light into electricity through a photo-electrochemical principle [1]. New materials with suitable optoelectronic properties are being explored for this purpose. In this context, semiconductor nanostructures have acquired great importance due to their novel and interesting properties, which are not observed in the micro or larger size scale [2]. In particular, the ZnO semiconductor is considered a strong candidate for the preparation of nanostructures for optoelectronics. ZnO absorbs in the UV due to its wide gap of 3.37 eV and therefore, its absorption spectrum must be expanded to the visible region when using it as a semiconductor for solar energy conversion.In this work, we report on ZnO nanowires (NWs) prepared by the vapor transport method, and sensitized in the visible by anchoring to their surface some novel Ru for future applications in DSSC. The used experimental characterization techniques were photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, current?voltage curves, current as function of the voltage and temperature, UV-visible absorption spectra, reflection, photocurrent measurements as function of the photon energy and of the illumination and relaxation times. From the analysis of the optical, electrical and photoelectrical measurements data of the NW/dye devices, the photogenerated charge transfer processes through the interface and the charge recombination and transport mechanisms could be identified.1.M. T. Kibria, A. Ahammed, S. M. Sony, and F. Hossain, Int. Conf. Environ. Asp. Bangladesh, p. 51, (2014).2.A. Hegazy, N. Kinadjian, B. Sadeghimakki, S. Sivoththaman, N. K. Allam, and E. Prouzet, Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells, 153, 108 (2016).