Photoelectric Performance Optimization of Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells Based on ZnO‐TiO₂ Composite Nanofibers

Abstract

As the electron transport layer of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), the photoanode is an important component that affects photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE). The commonly used material titanium dioxide (TiO2) is difficult to prepare as nanostructures with large specific surface area, which affects dye loading and electrolyte diffusion. Herein, TiO2 nanofibers and ZnO-TiO2 composite nanofibers with different molar ratios are synthesized by electrospinning technology. The above nanofibers are coated on photoanodes by the doctor blade method to assemble DSSCs. The influence of the composite ratio of ZnO-TiO2 composite nanofibers on the photoelectric performance of the assembled DSSCs is explored. The ZnO-TiO2 composite nanofibers with a molar ratio of 1 : 2 have large specific surface area and porosity and have the smallest charge transfer resistance at the photoanode-electrolyte interface. The PCE of the nanofiber-modified DSSCs reaches a maximum of 3.66%, which is 56% higher than that of the TiO2 nanofiber-modified DSSCs. The photovoltaic parameters such as open circuit voltage (VOC), current density (JSC), and fill factor (FF) are 0.58 V, 10.36 mA/cm2, and 0.61, respectively. Proper compounding of zinc oxide (ZnO) can not only make the nanofibers absorb more dyes and enhance the light-harvesting ability but also improve the diffusion of the electrolyte and enhance the electron transport, thus successfully improving the power conversion efficiency of DSSCs.

The Potential of Electrospinning to Enable the Realization of Energy-Autonomous Wearable Sensing Systems

“…Additionally, evenly distributed tiny pores due to the electrospinning process have increased the charge transport rate, resulting in higher outputs. The final device exhibited a V OC of 0.58 V, a current density of 10.36 mA cm –2 , and a FF of 0.61 (Figure c) . Moreover, Nien et al observed that Fe 2 O 3 /TiO 2 and g-C 3 N 4 /TiO 2 electrospinning with a double jet to produce a heterogeneous nanofiber composite had improved the PCE up to 4.81%.…”

“…Copyright 2020, Royal Society of Chemistry. (c) Current density and voltage plot for ZnO- and TiO 2 -based DSSC devices reprinted with permission under a Creative Commons [CC BY] License from ref ( 163 ). Copyright 2022 The Authors.…”

Preparation of ternary polyaniline@CuO−zeolite composite, discussion of characteristics, properties and their applications in supercapacitors and cationic dye adsorption

“…16 Nanofibers and nanofiber composites are promising for energy storage and energy applications as well as for a wide range of other applications such as solar cells, medicine, water and air filtration, drug delivery etc., and the surface-to-volume ratio of the nanofibers plays a major role. [17][18][19][20][21][22] A textile-based counter electrode, consisting of PANI coated carbon fabric, with efficacious photovoltaic performance was developed in a study by Motlagh et al for a flexible dye-sensitized solar cell. 23 A high performance CoWO 4 -PANI electrode sample for electrochemical devices and energy storage was developed and investigated in the study by Rajkumar et al 24 Zeolite (ZT) is a tridimensional form of crystalline aluminosilicate and exhibits well-defined micropores and mesopores.…”

“…These nanofiber composites produced a homogeneous distribution on SSCs with an efficient conductivity path for the photoelectrons 16 . Nanofibers and nanofiber composites are promising for energy storage and energy applications as well as for a wide range of other applications such as solar cells, medicine, water and air filtration, drug delivery etc., and the surface‐to‐volume ratio of the nanofibers plays a major role 17–22 . A textile‐based counter electrode, consisting of PANI coated carbon fabric, with efficacious photovoltaic performance was developed in a study by Motlagh et al for a flexible dye‐sensitized solar cell 23 .…”

Preparation and characterization of biodegradable electrospinning PHBV/PBAT/TiO2antibacterial nanofiber membranes

“…12 TiO 2 is non-toxic, environmentally friendly, low-cost, and stable. 13 Reactive oxygen species produced by TiO 2 photocatalysis would attack the weak places in the bacterial cell wall, allowing internal components to seep out and then destroy the injured cells, 14 resulting in an antibacterial action. Since then, several investigations on TiO 2 photocatalytic antibacterial performance have been conducted.…”