ZnO nanoparticles and porous coatings for dye-sensitized solar cell application: Photoelectrochemical characterization

Nanoscale zinc oxide (ZnO) powder with Brunauer-Emmelt-Teller surface area of 43 m(2) g(-1) has been synthesized by soft chemistry at low temperature via reaction of zinc acetate dehydrate (Zn(CH3COO)(2).2H(2)O) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The influence of the pH value of the sol on the structure and morphology of ZnO powder have been investigated by X-Ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy and High Resolution Transmission Electron Microcopy. Their thermal properties have been determined by simultaneous Differential Thermal Analysis and Thermogravimetry coupled to Mass Spectroscopy analysis. The nanoparticles are single crystals with (101) preferred orientation but agglomerated. Their crystallite size can be adjusted from 15 nm to 35 nm by controlling the pH value between 7 and 13. Thick porous crystalline coatings have been obtained by doctor blade coating on conducting SnO2:F glass substrates using pastes prepared by wetting the crystalline powders with polyethylene glycol and water. After sintering at 400 degrees C and Ruthenium 535 dye sensitization, the coatings have been tested in a three electrode electrochemical cell containing an appropriate electrolyte in the dark and under 450 W Xenon lamp illumination. The influence of the electrolyte iodine concentration, the film thickness and the light intensity on the current density are presented and discussed. Such coatings appeared promising for the realization of dye sensitized solar cells. (c) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.