Nanoporous ZnO Photoelectrode for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell

Nanoporous and macroporous structures were prepared by using self-assembled monolayer (SAM) onto ZnO thin films in order to investigate the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) produced using these films. Using SAM on ZnO thin films, it is obtained successfully assembled large-area, highly ordered porous ZnO thin films. Varying nanoporous radius is observed between 20 and 50 nm sizes, while it is 500-800nm for macroporous radius. The solar conversion efficiency of 2.75% and IPCE of 29% was obtained using ZnO nanoporous/N719 dye/I-/I-3(-) electrolyte, while macroporous ZnO given solar conversion efficiency of 2.22% and IPCE of 18%.