ZnO Nanowires for Dye Sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract

This chapter provides a broad review of the latest research activities focused on the synthesis and application of ZnO nanowires (NWs) for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) and composed of three main sections. The first section briefly introduces DSC-working principles and ZnO NW application advantages and stability issues. The next section reviews ZnO NW synthesis methods, demonstrating approaches for controlled synthesis of different ZnO NW morphology and discussing how this effects the overall efficiency of the DSC. In the last section, the methods for ZnO NW interface modification with various materials are discussed, which include ZnO core-shell structures with semiconductive or protective layers, ZnO NW hybrid structures with other materials, such as nanoparticles, quantum dots and carbon nanomaterials and their benefit for charge and light transport in DSCs. The review is concluded with some perspectives and outlook on the future developments in the ZnO nanowire application for DSCs.

N719 Derivatives for Application in a Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC): A Theoretical Study

“…In a DSSC device, the dye sensitizers have two functions: ensure adequate light-harvesting and generation of photoelectrons. For this purpose, dye sensitizers should have (a) chemical and physical stabilities; (b) strong adherence to the semiconductor materials (electron transport layer, ETL) through anchoring groups; (c) high absorption of incident light from the visible to near-infrared region; (d) eigenvalues of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) higher than the conduction band of the semiconductor; and (d) eigenvalues of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) lower than the E redox of the electrolyte (to regenerate the dye sensitizers with electron transfer from the electrolyte). − …”

Face-selective tungstate ions drive zinc oxide nanowire growth direction and dopant incorporation

“…We successfully demonstrated the controlled morphology and elemental doping of W-doped ZnO nanowires for the first time by the predictable model based on coordination structure of impurity metal ions. The controllable nanowire morphology and elemental doping in hydrothermal synthesis enable to design the property of various ZnO nanostructure-based applications such as photovoltaic devices, photocatalysis, and chemical sensing [47][48][49][50] .…”

Small-diameter magnetic and metallic nanowire arrays grown in anodic porous alumina templates anodized in selenic acid

“…Co nanowires with large shape and magnetocrystalline anisotropies can be employed in the development of high-density magnetic memories [59]. Functionalized Zn and calcined Zn (ZnO) nanowire arrays with high crystallinity can be valuable in dye-sensitized solar cells and gas sensors with fast response/ recovery times [60]. Ag NWs have also exhibited high chemical stability against different harsh media while also showing superior conductivity and transmittance [61].…”