Fe/ZnO nanorod photoanode and pyrocatechol violet sensitizer based dye sensitized solar cells

Abstract

A ZnO and Fe/ZnO nanorods have been prepared and used in dye sensitized solar cells. The prepared ZnO and Fe/ZnO nanorods were characterized by XRD, SEM and SEM-EDS. Additionally, the pyrocatechol violet solutions with different pH values have been prepared, characterized and used in dye sensitized solar cells. The dyes which have different pH values were characterized via UV-Vis absorbance and cyclic voltammetry techniques. The Fe doping to ZnO nanorods increased the solar cell efficiency by 20-35%. The pyrocatechol violet dye can be binded to Fe atoms on the ZnO surface and the possible mechanism was discussed in detailed. The efficiency of champion solar cell is obtained 1.39% with Fe/ZnO photoanode and pH 7.5 pyrocatechol violet dye solution.