Electrochemical growth and characterisation of ZnO nanostructures for dye‐sensitised solar cells

This Letter presents the electrodeposition of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures by varying the negative potential and investigation of structural, optical, and morphological characteristics. UV–vis spectroscopy investigation showed the redshift of the absorption peak with the increased negative potential. Using Tauc relation, the optical bandgap values estimated to be 3.09, 2.97, 2.93, 2.91, 2.90, and 2.84 eV corresponding to the samples prepared at potential −0.5, −0.7, −0.9, −1.1, −1.3 and −1.5 V. Fluorescence spectra exhibited the UV emission band at wavelength 392 nm along with a peak at 650 nm corresponds to the second‐order nature of ZnO. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy analysis confirmed the various vibration modes at 403, 493, and 702 cm ⁻¹ originated by the ZnO nanostructures. X‐ray diffraction pattern revealed the hexagonal wurtzite phase of ZnO. Scanning electron microscopy investigation evidenced the distinct morphology of ZnO with the increased negative potential; however, the dense and perpendicularly oriented ZnO nanorods are prepared at highest negative potential as compared to rice grain‐like ZnO structure prepared at least negative potential. Furthermore, the prepared nanostructures are used as dye‐sensitised solar cells (DSSCs) photoanodes, while the DSSC‐Z6 showed the increased cell efficiency up to 1.2%, due to the aligned growth of the ZnO nanorods.