Preparation of ZnO-AZO Core-Shell Nanoarrays and Its Application in Dye Sensitized Solar Cells

High quality one-dimensional ZnO nanometer array (ZnO NAs) was synthesized by low-temperature hydrothermal method. The length and diameter of ZnO NAs was regulated by controlling hydrolysis time (Th) and the concentration of hydrolysate, and the surface was modified by aluminum-doped ZnO (AZO) to obtain ZnO/AZO core-shell nanometer array, which was used as the photoanode of dye-sensitized solar cells. The ZnO NAs provide a direct and stable channel for charge transfer. The electron recombination caused by reaction of the acid dye and ZnO photoanode have reduced as adding AZO shell, and increased the array surface roughness to improve the load of dye molecules. As a result, the DSSC of composite film has a hig power conversion efficiency of 1.75%.