The Effect of Electrospinning Precursor Flow Rate with Rotating Collector on ZnO Nanofiber Size Results on Double-Layered DSSC Photoanode Fabrication

Abstract

DSSC solar cells are predicted to be energy conversion devices for the next generation; therefore, various developments are carried out to improve the performance of DSSC solar cells. In this paper, we present the results of research on the process of using ZnO nanofibers as DSSC photoanodes using an electrospinning machine. The direct deposition method was used to directly spray the ZnO precursor solution on conductive glass deposited with TiO2. The rotating collector was used to make uniform and reduce the size of the resulting nanofiber structure. The size reduction in the resulting nanofiber can improve the performance of DSSC photoanode. Variations of a precursor discharge of 2, 4, 6, and 8 μL/minute were used to determine the effects on the morphological arrangement of the resulting ZnO nanofibers. From the results of this study, the most uniform nanofiber results and the smallest average size were obtained from the use of the lowest flow rate variation, which was 2 ml/minute.

State-of-the-art of electrospun nanocomposite nanofibers and membranes with carbon nanoparticles—Prevailing progressions

“…For Li-ion batteries, the electrode must be designed with precise electrospinning parameters to attain high capacity, fast charging rates, and long cycle life [94] . Electrospinning technique has also been found competent for designing nanofibers for dye-sensitized solar cells for high efficiency [95] . Some significant designs of inorganic or metal-organic hybrid based electrospinning nanofibers have been applied for high performance gas sensing and chemiresistive sensing devices [96,97] .…”

Effects of the morphology and diameter of TiO2 nanofibers as light-scattering layers on the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells

“…Yarin and Reneker reported that process control of electrospinning resulted in fibers with nanoscale diameters [22]. The morphology and diameter of the obtaining nanofibers depend on polymer properties and parameters processes, such as polymer molecular weight, solvent, applied voltage, solution viscosity, needle diameter, and needle tip distance to collector [23,24]. The working principle of comprehensive electrospinning has been discussed in another paper [25].…”