Improvement of the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells using Sn-doped ZnO nanoparticles

Sn-doped and undoped ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized by hydrothermal method and their performance as the photoanode of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) was investigated. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction showed that the Sn had been doped into the ZnO lattice. A red shift of photoluminescence spectra which was induced by Sn doping was observed. The photocurrent density-voltage curves of DSSCs indicated that the efficiency was increased by as high as 140% on bare-FTO substrate and 105% on ZnO compact layer/FTO substrate via Sn doping. Also the effect of the ZnO compact layer was discussed by both of Sn-doped or undoped DSSCs. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.