Enhanced photovoltaic performance of dye‐sensitized solar cell based on ZnO nanoparticles and ZnO/graphene nanocomposites

Abstract

For clean, inexpensive, and renewable power source, dye‐sensitized solar cell (DSSC) has attracted more attention in recent decades. DSSC faces various challenges that lead scientists to further research. In this study, the efficiency of DSSC was improved through the development of a new ZnO nanoparticles and ZnO/graphene nanocomposite as a photoanode electrode and poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), PEDOT/multi wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT), and Pt as a counter electrode. Synthesized samples were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray powder diffraction, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, brunauer emmett teller (BET)‐barrett joyner halenda (BJH), and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis) spectroscopy. Various DSSC with different photoanode and counter electrode were fabricated in this study. Results showed that graphene has much impact on the performance of DSSC. ZnO/graphene and Pt‐based solar cell showed an open circuit voltage of 0.78 V and the fill factor 0.75 and 11.53 conversion efficiency under the one sunlight irradiation. For the ZnO/graphene and PEDOT/MWCNT case, open circuit voltage of 0.65 V and the fill factor 0.83 and 5.542 conversion efficiency was measured.

Synthesis, Characterization and Functionalization of P3HT-CNT Nanocomposite Thin Films with Doped Ag2O

“…Previous studies have shown that incorporating carbon-based nanomaterials can enhance the field-effect mobility. Nanocomposites based on nanoparticles indicated an improved performance in solar cells, LEDs, thermoelectric devices, and thin-film transistors (TFTs) [10][11][12]. Polymer composites are created by synthesizing polymers with nanoparticles, which helps to enhance their electronic and optical properties.…”

Zinc oxide/graphene nanocomposite as efficient photoelectrode in dye‐sensitized solar cells: Recent advances and future outlook

“…The introduction of graphene in the ZnO nanoparticles has decreased the semiconductor's bandgap and, therefore, increased the DSSC's efficiency with the Pt counter electrode. 59 The EIS is widely used to investigate the interfacial electrical properties and determine the kinetics of charge transfer in DSSCs. Commonly, the equivalent circuit model configuration for DSSCs was split into three main branches: shunt resistance, R s , sub-branch of counter electrode capacitor with a resistor, followed by resistivity capacitor with resistor.…”

“…A recent finding by Yousif et al achieved the highest PCE of 11.53% for the ZnO/graphene nanocomposite. The introduction of graphene in the ZnO nanoparticles has decreased the semiconductor's bandgap and, therefore, increased the DSSC's efficiency with the Pt counter electrode 59 …”

Synthesis and characterization of ternary nanocomposites of TiO2/rGO/CdS as an efficient catalyst for photo‐degradation of methyl orange

“…As a known semiconductor, TiO₂ is one of the most common and suitable material for environmental issues because of its high photocatalytic performance, low cost, easy availability, and non-toxicity. [1][2][3][4] TiO₂ based photocatalysts have wide bandgap energy of 3.7 eV, and high recombination rate, limiting their application to be used as photocatalyst for organic dye degradation. Hence, many researchers tried to enhance the photocatalytic performance using different approaches such as elemental doping, immobilization of other semiconductor, and use of some metal nanoparticles.…”