Electrodeposition of Inorganic/Organic Hybrid Thin Films

Abstract

Electrodeposition of inorganic compound thin films in the presence of certain organic molecules results in self‐assembly of various hybrid thin films with new properties. Examples of new discoveries by the authors are reviewed, taking cathodic formation of a ZnO/dye hybrid as the leading example. Hybridization of eosinY leads to the formation of highly oriented porous crystalline ZnO as the consequence of dye loading. The hybrid formation is a highly complicated process involving complex chemistry of many molecular and ionic constituents. However, electrochemical analyses of the relevant phenomena indicate the possibility of reaching a comprehensive understanding of the mechanism, giving us the chance to further develop them into industrial technologies. The porous crystals are ideal for photoelectrodes in dye‐sensitized solar cells. As the process also permits the use of non‐heat‐resistant substrates, the technology can be applied for the development of colorful and light‐weight plastic solar cells.

Microwave-assisted Hydrothermal Synthesis of Structure-controlled ZnO Nanocrystals and Their Properties in Dye-sensitized Solar Cells

“…20,21 The power conversion efficiencies of DSSCs employing ZnO, synthesized by these techniques as photoanodes, range from 0.5 to 5.6%. Unlike DSSCs employing TiO 2 , not much is known about the relationship between efficiency and the structure of the ZnO photoanodes.…”

Electrodeposition of nanoporous ZnO on Al-doped ZnO leading to a highly organized structure for integration in Dye Sensitized Solar Cells

“…Among other properties such as transparency or good electron mobility, the material involved in the anode fabrication has to present a large developed surface, in order to maximize the absorption of the incident light by the dye. ZnO nanoporous films prepared by co-deposition with dye molecules particularly meet these specifications [22]. Thus efficiencies up to 5.6% have been reached with a nanoporous structure obtaiend with Eosin Y (EY) as structure directing agent and with D149 as a sensitizer [23] and an efficiency of 4.6% is recorded elsewhere in the same conditions [24].…”

From Metals to Semiconductors: Challenges in Electrodeposition for Photovoltaic Applications

“…It can be noted that promising results have been recently obtained with electrodeposited ZnO in the field of dye sensitized solar cells where highly porous layers are needed (47).…”