Controlling the Layer Thickness of Zinc Oxide Photoanode and the Dye-Soaking Time for an Optimal-Efficiency Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell
Source abstract
Abstract
Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were developed by exploiting the photovoltaic effect to convert solar energy into electrical energy. The photoanode layer thickness significantly affects the semiconductor film’s ability to carry electronic charges, adsorb sensitizing dye molecules, and lower the recombination of photo-excited electrons injected into the semiconductor. This study investigated the dependence of the zinc oxide (ZnO) photoanode thin-film thickness and the film soaking time in N719 dye on the photocurrent–voltage characteristics. The ZnO photoanode was applied to glass using the doctor blade method. The thickness was varied by changing the scotch tape layers. The ZnO-based DSSC attained an efficiency of 2.77% with three-layered photoanodes soaked in the dye for three hours, compared to a maximum efficiency of 0.68% that was achieved with three cycles using the dip-coating method in other research. The layer thickness of the ZnO photoanode and its optimal adsorption time for the dye are important parameters that determine the efficiency of the DSSC. Therefore, this work provides important insights to further improve the performance of DSSCs.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: TiO2 Photocatalysis and Solar Cells · Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques · Transition Metal Oxide Nanomaterials
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Faculty of Electronic Engineering & Technology, Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), Arau 02600, Malaysia
Geopolymer and Green Technology, Centre of Excellence (CEGeoGTech), Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), Arau 02600, Malaysia
Faculty of Chemical Engineering & Technology, Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), Arau 02600, Malaysia
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
Institute of Sustainable Energy, Universiti Tenaga Nasional (The National Energy University), Jalan IKRAM-UNITEN, Kajang 43000, Malaysia
Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iaşi, Blvd. D. Mangeron 71, 700050 Iasi, Romania
Romanian Inventors Forum, Str. Sf. P. Movila 3, 700089 Iasi, Romania
National Institute for Research and Development in Environmental Protection INCDPM, Splaiul Independentei 294, 060031 Bucharest, Romania
Technical Sciences Academy of Romania, Dacia Blvd 26, 030167 Bucharest, Romania
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, Częstochowa University of Technology, 42-201 Częstochowa, Poland
Funding
Ministry of Higher Education of Malaysia (MoHE) · Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iasi (TUIASI)
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