Graphitic carbon nitride as a photovoltaic booster in quantum dot sensitized solar cells: a synergistic approach for enhanced charge separation and injection

A binary hybrid composite of g-C3N4 and ZnO is introduced as a photoanodic material in QDSSC devices and ∼70% improvement in power conversion efficiency is achieved.</p

Rational design of hierarchical ZnO superstructures for efficient charge transfer: mechanistic and photovoltaic studies of hollow, mesoporous, cage-like nanostructures with compacted 1D building blocks

Exotic 3D ZnO superstructures are synthesized utilizing a biomass derived polysaccharide “sodium alginate” and their photovoltaic properties are evaluated.</p

Efficient Energy Harvesting in SnO2Based Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Utilizing Nano-Amassed Mesoporous Zinc Oxide Hollow Microspheres as Synergy Boosters

Finding the material characteristics satisfying most of the photovoltaic conditions is difficult. In contrast, utilization of foreign materials that can contribute to light harvesting and charge transfers in the devices is now desirable/thought-provoking. Herein, a binary hybrid photoanode utilizing nano-amassed micron-sized mesoporous zinc oxide hollow spheres (meso-ZnO HS) in conjunction with SnO2 nanoparticles (NPs), i.e., SnO2 NP_ZnO HS (for an optimized weight ratio (8:2)), displayed a nearly ∼4-fold increase in the efficiency (η) compared to that of bare SnO2 nanoparticle device. Enhanced device efficacy in the composite photoanode-based device can be accredited to the dual function of nano-amassed meso-ZnO HS. Nano-amassed micron-sized ZnO HS embedded in the photoanode can increase the light-harnessing capability without sacrificing the surface area as well as optical confinement of light by multiple reflections within its cavity and enhanced light-scattering effects. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis revealed an extended lifetime of electron (τe) and a higher value of Rct2 at the working electrode/dye/redox mediator interface, indicating a minimum photoinduced electron interception. The open-circuit voltage decay reveals a slower recombination kinetics of photogenerated electrons, supporting our claim that the nano-ammased meso-ZnO HS can serve as an energy barrier to the photoinjected electrons to retard the back-transfer to the electrolyte. Moreover, the improvement in the fill factors of the composite-based devices is endorsed to the facile penetration of the electrolyte through the pores of nano-amassed meso-ZnO HS, which increases the regeneration probability of oxidized dyes

Understanding the role of silica nanospheres with their light scattering and energy barrier properties in enhancing the photovoltaic performance of ZnO based solar cells

The present study discusses the design and development of a dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) using a hybrid composite of ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NP) and silica nanospheres (SiO2 NS).</p

Enhanced photovoltaic performance of meso-porous SnO₂ based solar cells utilizing 2D MgO nanosheets sensitized by a metal-free carbazole derivative

Herein, we report a power conversion efficiency of 3.71% using mesoporous SnO2 in combination with 2D MgO nanosheets, sensitized by a metal free carbazole dye.</p