Nanoparticle-based hierarchical zinc oxide chains for enhanced efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract

One-dimensional ZnO chains composed of nanoparticles were prepared using a facile method. Inspired by the possibility of achieving unique structures for the working electrodes of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), hierarchical ZnO chains can take the advantages of both one-dimensional (1D)-structures and nanoparticles. A superior light scattering ability, slower electron recombination rate and faster electron transport rate together enhanced the photoelectric conversion performance and showed a superior conversion efficiency compared to ZnO 1D-based DSSCs and ZnO nanoparticle-based DSSCs.