ZnO nanocrystalline powder prepared by sol-gel method for photoanode of dye sensitized solar cells application

Purpose: The article presents the results of research on ZnO nanopowder prepared using sol-gel method that is the easy process enabling us to control shape and size of particles The purpose of this article is to synthesized ZnO nanostructures by sol-gel method and characterized them for use in dye sensitized solar cells. Design/methodology/approach: Zinc oxide nanopowder was synthesized by using zinc acetate dehydrate as a precursor. The prepared nanopowder has been subjected to structural analysis using a transmission electron microscope (TEM). Scanning Electron Microscopic (SEM) images were taken with a Zeiss Supra 35. Qualitative studies of chemical composition were also performed using the Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS). The structure of zinc oxide was investigated by X-ray crystallography The absorbance of zinc oxide layers with and without dye were measured by Thermo Scientific Evolution 220 spectrophotometer equipped with a xenon lamp in the wavelength range from 190 nm to 1100 nm. Findings: Sol-gel method allows the formation of uniform nanoparticles of zinc oxide. The nanoparticles have been successfully used in photoelectrode of dye sensitized solar cell. The light harvesting efficiency of the electrode it remains in a wide spectral range above 85%, which gives better results than in the case of titanium dioxide. Research limitations/implications: The next step in the research will be to investigate the ZnO/NiO composite on the properties of the photoelectrode of dye sensitized solar cell. Practical implications: he unique properties of produced ZnO nanostructural materials have caused their interest in such fields as medicine, transparent electronics and photovoltaics. Originality/value: The ZnO nanoparticles were prepared using sol-gel method and then effectively used in the photoanode of dye sensitized solar cell.