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Fabrication of TiO2-ZnO nanocomposite photoanodes to enhance the dye-sensitized solar cell efficiency

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Abstract

In this report, a TiO2-ZnO nanocomposite for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) has been developed via chemical bath deposition. The various compositions of TiO2-ZnO were studied for DSSCs with Methyl orange as a dye. The agglomerated nanoparticle surface morphology was observed for TiO2-ZnO-DSSCs thin films. The HR-TEM and SAED analyses reveal the TiO2-ZnO-DSSCs films are nanocrystalline. The XPS analysis showed the presence of + 4, − 2, and + 2 valence states for Ti, O, and Zn elements respectively. The optical absorption spectroscopy of the deposited TiO2-ZnO-DSSCs shows a band gap in the range of 2.88–3.00 eV. Photovoltaic performance of dye-sensitized TiO2-ZnO photoanode shows improved photocurrent from 0.498 to 2.03 mA/cm2 corresponding to photovoltage of 501–837 mV. The composite TiO2-ZnO with a 3:1 ratio shows the best photo-conversion efficiency of 0.74% (TZ3). The improvement in the PCE was mainly ascribed to improved crystal quality, suitable band gap energy, and agglomerated nanoparticle-like surface structures. The EIS analysis demonstrates, lower charge transfer resistance (Rct) of the dye-sensitized TiO2-ZnO films. This work offers chemical bath deposition as a prominent way to develop dye-sensitized TiO2-ZnO photoelectrode for competent solar energy harvesting.

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Acknowledgements

For the lab infrastructure used in this work, the author AGT gratefully acknowledges Miraj Mahavidyalaya Miraj and Rajaram College, Kolhapur.

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No funding was received for conducting this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Rajaram College, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, PIN-416004, India

    Ankush G. Thate & Vijaykumar M. Bhuse

  2. Department of Chemistry, Miraj Mahavidyalaya, Miraj, Maharashtra, PIN-416410, India

    Ankush G. Thate

  3. Department of Chemistry, Anandibai Raorane Arts, Commerce and Science College, Vaibhavwadi, Maharashtra, PIN-416810, India

    Keshav S. Pakhare

  4. Materials Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Shivaji University, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, PIN-416004, India

    Satish S. Patil

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  1. Ankush G. Thate
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  4. Vijaykumar M. Bhuse
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The authors AT and VB contributed to the design of the experiments, analysis of data, and writing of the manuscript. KP and SP contributed valuable input to the interpretation of the results, and the results and discussion during this development.

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Correspondence to Vijaykumar M. Bhuse.

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Thate, A.G., Pakhare, K.S., Patil, S.S. et al. Fabrication of TiO2-ZnO nanocomposite photoanodes to enhance the dye-sensitized solar cell efficiency. Res Chem Intermed 49, 147–168 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11164-022-04878-4

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