Increased efficiency and stability of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSC) photoanode by intercalation of Eosin Y into Zn/Al layered double hydroxide

ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were synthesized using hydrothermal and sol-gel techniques using zinc acetate dihydrate (Zn (CH3COO)2.2H2O) as a row material and methanol as a solvent. The structural properties of ZnO NPs were studied using EDX, XRD, TEM, and the optical properties were characterized using UV-VIS and PL spectroscopies. The synthesized ZnO NPs showed high purity and revealed a wurtzite (hexagonal) crystal structure with particle size (D) ranged from 25 nm to 28 nm. The UV-VIS absorption spectra of ZnO NPs samples and sensitizing dyes were performed. The obtained ZnO NPs exhibited the direct optical bandgap 3.15 eV. Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were fabricated using synthesized ZnO NPs as a semiconducting layer, which was dyed with different low cost dyes such as Eosin B (EB), Eosin Y (EY) and Rhodamine B (RB) that was used to sensitize the photoanode (ZnO NPs). The experimental results showed a significant efficiency for the fabricated DSSCs of synthesized ZnO NPs via sol gel technique comparing to hydrothermal technique. The EY dye exhibited the best performance among others, where a conversion efficiency showed a noteworthy improvement from 0.12 to 1.08 %.

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Solid state dye sensitized solar cells: Eosin-Y sensitized TiO2–ZnO/PEO–PVDF-HFP-MMT electrolytes/MWCNT–Nafion® counter electrode

Ceramics International ◽

10.1016/j.ceramint.2015.05.151 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 41 (9) ◽

pp. 11824-11835 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

K. Prabakaran ◽

Smita Mohanty ◽

Sanjay K Nayak

Keyword(s):

Solar Cells ◽

Solid State ◽

Counter Electrode ◽

Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽

Eosin Y ◽

Dye Sensitized ◽

Sensitized Solar Cells

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Fabrication and performance analysis of a low cost, Pt free counter electrode using carbon coated ZnAl layered double hydroxide (C/ZnAl-LDH) for dye sensitized solar cells

Solar Energy ◽

10.1016/j.solener.2020.03.113 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 202 ◽

pp. 144-154

Author(s):

Giphin George ◽

M.P. Saravanakumar

Keyword(s):

Solar Cells ◽

Performance Analysis ◽

Counter Electrode ◽

Low Cost ◽

Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽

Dye Sensitized ◽

Carbon Coated ◽

And Performance ◽

Double Hydroxide ◽

Sensitized Solar Cells

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Investigation of the Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Prepared by the Mixed Oxide from the ZnAl-Layered Double Hydroxide

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.816-817.115 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 816-817 ◽

pp. 115-118

Author(s):

Liang Ji Zhang ◽

Ming Zhe Leng ◽

Yao Wei Qin ◽

Jian Qiang Liu

Keyword(s):

Solar Cells ◽

Mixed Oxides ◽

Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽

Molar Ratio ◽

X Ray Diffraction ◽

Dye Sensitized ◽

Different Temperatures ◽

Basic Parameters ◽

Double Hydroxide ◽

Sensitized Solar Cells

The layered double hydrotalcites (LDH) with molar ratio Zn:Al=2:1 was prepared by urea method. The mixed oxides were prepared by calcining the LDH at different temperatures and a series of dye-sensitized solar cells were assembled by the corresponding oxides and the dye Ruthenizer 535-bisTBA (N719). The basic parameters were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA) and UV-Vis absorption spectrum. The photovoltaic behaviors of solar cells were characterized and the best efficiency was 0.015% when the calcining temperature was 500°C.

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