title: Interface Engineering through Atomic Layer Deposition towards Highly Improved Performance of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.
abstract: A composite photoanode comprising ultralong ZnO nanobelts and TiO2 nanoparticles was prepared and its performance in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) was optimized and compared to the photoanode consisting of conventional TiO2 nanoparticles. The ultralong ZnO nanobelts were synthesized in high yield by a facile solution approach at 90°C followed by annealing at 500°C. The effect of the ratio of ZnO nanobelts to TiO2 nanoparticles on the light scattering, specific surface area, and interface recombination were investigated. An optimum amount of ZnO nanobelts enhanced the photon-conversion efficiency by 61.4% compared to that of the conventional TiO2 nanoparticles. To further reduce the recombination rate and increase the carrier lifetime, Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) technique was utilized to coat a continuous TiO2 film surrounding the ZnO nanobelts and TiO2 nanoparticles, functioning as a barrier-free access of all electrons to conductive electrodes. This ALD treatment improved the interface contact within the whole photoanode system, finally leading to significant enhancement (137%) in the conversion efficiency of DSSCs.
authors.affiliation: College of Physics, Optoelectronics and Energy, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Thin Films, Soochow University, China.
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.affiliation: College of Physics, Optoelectronics and Energy, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Thin Films, Soochow University, China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.affiliation: Analysis and Testing Center of Soochow University, Soochow University, China.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: College of Physics, Optoelectronics and Energy, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Thin Films, Soochow University, China.
authors.forename: Liang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li