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Fabrication of hybrid solar cells using poly(2,5-dimethoxyaniline) hexagonal structures and zinc oxide nanorods

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Abstract

Flower-shaped zinc oxide (ZnO) structures have been synthesized in a microwave at 180 °C for 20 min using zinc nitrate and KOH. Detailed structural and morphology observation showed that the micron-sized ZnO nano-pencils grow out of the base of the flower-shaped ZnO structures. Photoluminescence spectrum measured at room temperature showed a sharp UV emission band around 390 nm which is attributed to the radiative annihilation of excitons. The synthesized PDMA and ZnO nanopencils are highly crystalline materials with one-dimensional morphology which improves the electron charge transport in the device. A distinctive photoluminescence quenching effect was observed indicating a photo-induced electron transfer. The solar cell devices fabricated from these materials demonstrated a short circuit current density of about 0.93 μA/cm2, open-circuit voltage 0.58 V, and efficiency of 0.16 %.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful for the financial support of the Department of Science and Technology, South Africa and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), South Africa (Project No. HGERA7S).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, University of South Africa, Florida Campus, Private Bag X6, Florida, 1710, South Africa

    S. E. Mavundla

  2. DST/CSIR, Nanotechnology Innovation Centre, National Centre for Nano-Structured Materials, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, P. O. Box 395, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa

    G. F. Malgas & D. E. Motaung

  3. Sensor Lab, Department of Chemistry, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville, 7535, South Africa

    E. I. Iwuoha

Authors
  1. S. E. Mavundla
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  2. G. F. Malgas
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  3. D. E. Motaung
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  4. E. I. Iwuoha
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Correspondence to S. E. Mavundla.

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Mavundla, S.E., Malgas, G.F., Motaung, D.E. et al. Fabrication of hybrid solar cells using poly(2,5-dimethoxyaniline) hexagonal structures and zinc oxide nanorods. J Mater Sci 47, 5455–5460 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-012-6435-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-012-6435-x

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