TiO2-coated ZnS films as photoanode for dye-sensitized solar cell: effect of zinc nitrate hexahydrate concentration on the performance

This work is concerned with the use of TiO2-coated ZnS films as a photoanode in dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). The ZnS layer has been coated on TiO2 films via immersion technique. The influence of ZnS precursor concentration on the properties of the sample has been investigated. The effect of the precursor concentration on the performance of the device has also been studied. The XRD analysis reveals that anatase and ZnS phase exists in TiO2-coated ZnS sample. The samples absorb light in UV region but reflect more light in the visible region. The FESEM analysis reveals that the morphology of the TiO2-coated ZnS is nanograss. The device utilizing 0.03 M ZnS precursor demonstrates the highest η of 1.323% due to the smallest bulk and charge transfer resistance and also due to longest carrier lifetime.