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Effect of ZnO films immersion duration in N719 dye on energy conversion efficiency of DSSCs

Research on Chemical Intermediates volume 42, pages 3655–3672 (2016)Cite this article

Abstract

In this research, ZnO films composed of porous spherical nanoparticles were prepared by a sol–gel method and used to fabricate dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). ZnO films with different thicknesses and different lengths of immersion duration the films in N719 dye were used for solar energy conversion. Among them, the DSSC of ZnO film 5.6–6.2 µm thick immersed in N719 dye for 30 min has the highest performance efficiency. Inappropriate duration for soaking ZnO films in the dye can cause lower efficiency of the DSSCs caused by dye loading, detachment of ZnO films, reduction in number of free electrons, promotion of the recombination process, and transformation of porous films into denser ones.

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Acknowledgments

We are extremely grateful to Thailand’s Office of the Higher Education Commission, Thailand Research Fund, and Chiang Mai University for providing financial support through Grant No. MRG5680025; Chiang Mai University (CMU) through the CMU New Researcher Grant 2013; and the Department of Physics and Materials Science, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, through a general support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics and Materials Science, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand

    Orawan Wiranwetchayan, Wonchai Promnopas, Kritsada Hongsith, Supab Choopun, Pisith Singjai & Somchai Thongtem

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  1. Orawan Wiranwetchayan
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  2. Wonchai Promnopas
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  3. Kritsada Hongsith
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  4. Supab Choopun
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  5. Pisith Singjai
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  6. Somchai Thongtem
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Correspondence to Orawan Wiranwetchayan or Somchai Thongtem.

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Wiranwetchayan, O., Promnopas, W., Hongsith, K. et al. Effect of ZnO films immersion duration in N719 dye on energy conversion efficiency of DSSCs. Res Chem Intermed 42, 3655–3672 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11164-015-2237-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11164-015-2237-5

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