Research Article
Open Access
Preparation and Characterization of Dip Coated ZnO Thin Films for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Applications
S.Ravikumar1, M.Venkatachalam2, M.Saroja2, P.Gowthaman2, P.Thamarai selvan3, S.Shankar2
1Dept. of Electronics, Sengunthar Arts and Science College, Tiruchengode, India.
2Dept of Electronics, Erode Arts and Science College, Erode, India.
3Dept. of Electronics & Comm, Selvamm Arts & Science College, Namakkal, India
2Dept of Electronics, Erode Arts and Science College, Erode, India.
3Dept. of Electronics & Comm, Selvamm Arts & Science College, Namakkal, India
S.Ravikumar et al /Int.J. TechnoChem Res. 2017,3(1),pp 173-179.
Abstract
Thin films form a fair share in the ever growing solar cell research and also in the market.
One of the most versatile materials grown as thin films today are from derivatives of pure and doped
Zinc Oxide. A combination of dip coating and hydrothermal technique is a powerful tool in order to
achieve good quality ZnO thin films. The initial run is made by dip coating process where a
supersaturated solution of the material to be coated is taken in a beaker. A glass substrate is dipped into
the supersaturated solution and dried for an optimal amount of time. Multi layered thin film coatings are
formed and dried consequently before each individual dipping to enhance uniformity. Pure thin films of
Zinc Oxide are initially grown by hydrothermal method with thickness varying so as to reach the optimal
solar cell quality. These ZnO thin films are investigated for their structural and optical properties to
fabricate dye sensitized solar cells. The prepared ZnO ruthenium based DSSC reached a total IPCE of
2.846% and 3.03% respectively.
One of the most versatile materials grown as thin films today are from derivatives of pure and doped
Zinc Oxide. A combination of dip coating and hydrothermal technique is a powerful tool in order to
achieve good quality ZnO thin films. The initial run is made by dip coating process where a
supersaturated solution of the material to be coated is taken in a beaker. A glass substrate is dipped into
the supersaturated solution and dried for an optimal amount of time. Multi layered thin film coatings are
formed and dried consequently before each individual dipping to enhance uniformity. Pure thin films of
Zinc Oxide are initially grown by hydrothermal method with thickness varying so as to reach the optimal
solar cell quality. These ZnO thin films are investigated for their structural and optical properties to
fabricate dye sensitized solar cells. The prepared ZnO ruthenium based DSSC reached a total IPCE of
2.846% and 3.03% respectively.
Keywords
ZnO thin films, dip coating, hydrothermal, solar cells.