Hierarchically Structured Zn2SnO4 Nanobeads for High-Efficiency Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract

We developed a unique strategy for fabricating hierarchically structured (nanoparticles-in-beads) Zn2SnO4 beads (ZTO-Bs), which were then used to produce ternary metal oxide-based dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). DSSCs were fabricated using the ZTO-Bs as the photoelectrodes and highly absorbable organic dyes as the sensitizers. The DSSCs based on the ZTO-Bs and the organic dyes (SJ-E1 and SJ-ET1) exhibited the highest performance ever reported for DSSCs with ternary metal oxide-based photoelectrodes. The optimized DSSCs exhibited a power conversion efficiency of 6.3% (VOC of 0.71 V, JSC of 12.2 mA cm−2, FF of 0.72), which was much higher than that for DSSCs with conventional ZTO-NPs-based photoelectrodes or those based on the popular ruthenium-based dye, N719. The unique morphology of the ZTO-Bs allowed for improvements in dye absorption, light scattering, electrolyte penetration, and the charge recombination lifetime, while the organic dyes resulted in high molar absorbability.

Electrochemical Studies on the Corrosion Behaviour of Laser Alloyed Zn-Sn Coatings on UNS G10150 Steel in 1M HCl Solution

“…Moreover, the zinc stannate (Zn 2 SnO 4 ) is able to form extensive solid solutions, which makes it possible to form compounds with higher values of electrical conductivity [51,52]. Ternary metal oxides like zinc stannate (Zn 2 SnO 4 ) exhibit better corrosion resistance than do binary metal oxides as reported by Hwang et al [53]. Zinc hydroxyl chloride hydrate (Zn 5 (OH) 8 Cl 2 .H 2 O), known as simonkolleite was identified in all the samples.…”

Recent advances in photo-anode for dye-sensitized solar cells: a review

“…Efficiency improvement from 3.04 to 3.45% was observed after two CBD cycles, which was attributed to the suppressed recombination rate and prolonged electron lifetime. Hwang et al investigated the fabrication of hierarchically structured Zn 2 SnO 4 nanobeads by using unique electrostatic spraying method and its integration into DSSC . The optimized DSSC achieved high efficiency of 6.3% due to the unique morphology of Zn 2 SnO 4 nanobeads that allowed improvements in light scattering, dye adsorption, charge recombination lifetime and electrolyte penetration.…”

Boosting the photovoltaic performance of Zn2SnO4‐based dye‐sensitized solar cells by Si doping into Zn2SnO4

“…[4][5][6] In comparison with the ternary metal oxide semiconductors, binary metal oxide semiconductors have been extensively investigated, both experimentally and theoretically for different applications, and their electrical and optical properties have been gradually improved. 9,10 As crystal defects (such as vacant lattice sites, interstitial atoms, impurity atoms, and dopants), preparation methods and processing conditions affect the physical and chemical properties of the prepared metal oxide semiconductors, a great deal of effort has been devoted to synthesize metal oxide nanostructures with various morphologies by physical and chemical methods, as well as efforts to control chemical composition through doping or substituting of a desired impurity. 7,8 Furthermore, Zn 2 SnO 4 ternary metal oxide exhibits superior corrosion resistance than the pure metal oxide counterparts (ZnO and SnO 2 ) and therefore Zn 2 SnO 4 is a potential candidate for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), gas sensors, Li-ion batteries, and photocatalysis.…”

“…7,8 Furthermore, Zn 2 SnO 4 ternary metal oxide exhibits superior corrosion resistance than the pure metal oxide counterparts (ZnO and SnO 2 ) and therefore Zn 2 SnO 4 is a potential candidate for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), gas sensors, Li-ion batteries, and photocatalysis. 9,10 As crystal defects (such as vacant lattice sites, interstitial atoms, impurity atoms, and dopants), preparation methods and processing conditions affect the physical and chemical properties of the prepared metal oxide semiconductors, a great deal of effort has been devoted to synthesize metal oxide nanostructures with various morphologies by physical and chemical methods, as well as efforts to control chemical composition through doping or substituting of a desired impurity. 11,12 Till now, different methods have been utilized for preparation of Zn 2 SnO 4 nanostructures.…”