Optimization of growth of In2O3 nano-spheres thin films by electrodeposition for dye-sensitized solar cells

Thin films of indium oxide (In2O3) are deposited onto indium-tin oxide (ITO) coated glass substrates by electrodeposition technique. The parameters such as pH, deposition temperature, current density have been optimized for uniform film thickness. Films are annealed at 300 degrees C temperature for I h, then dipped in N3 dye for 20 h and then characterized by optical absorption, XRD, SEM, water contact angle and photoelectrochemical studies. Irregular sized spherical nano-spheres are uniformly grown over the complete surface of the substrate. Decrease in surface hydrophilicity from 35 degrees to 16 degrees is attributed to different surface topography of In2O3 than conducting substrate surface. Variation in the dark and light current density-voltage photoelectrochemical performance shows suitability of In2O3 as a host electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells. (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.