Template synthesis of zinc oxide composites used in dye-sensitized solar cells

摘要

ZnO was deposited from Zn(OAc)(2) soln. on F-doped SnO glass substrate by spin coating. After the procedure was repeated 4 times, the layer was annealed at 400 degrees C for 1 h and covered with template layer consisting of polystyrene microspheres in-situ produced by free radical emulsion polymerization. The seed layer was grown in the mixt. of Zn(NO3)(2) and hexamethylenetetramine to produce ZnO of nanowire-nanoparticle structures with high sp. surface area. The template layer was then removed by heating at 500 degrees C for 1 h under formation of ZnO nanostructures. Di(tetrabutylammonium)cis-bis(isothiocyanato)bis(2,2'-bipyridy1-4,4'-dicarboxylato)ruthenium(II) (N719 dye) was then deposited from its soln. on the composite surface and sensitized in dark for 1 h. The product was characterized by X-ray diffractometry, elec. impedance spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy and then successfully used as a semiconductor electrode in a solar cell of improved performance.