Dye-sensitized solar cells based on Al-doped ZnO photoelectrodes sensitized with rhodamine

Abstract Dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) study of rhodamine 6G dye has been carried out by photocurrent-voltage (I-V) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) characterizations based on Al doped ZnO (AZO) electrodes. The Al concentration was varied from 1 to 5 at.% for Al doped ZnO. The absorption spectrum of the dye shows remarkable absorption in the range of 538–650 nm indicating its possible use as a photosensitizer for ZnO. The I-V characteristics measured in the dark and under 80 W simulated illumination revealed enhanced DSSC performance for the AZO electrode with 2 at.% Al concentration. The electrochemical impedance spectra of Al doped ZnO samples was in good agreement with earlier results. This is a clear indication that rhodamine dye-sensitized AZO electrodes are superior to unsensitized ones in DSSC application.