Nanostructured ZnO thin films by uncovered hydrothermal method for solar cell application

Nanostructured ZnO thin films have been deposited on ZnO seed layer by the uncovered hydrothermal method at low temperature of 85°C. The ZnO seed layer has prepared on SnO₂:F glass substrate by using spray pyrolysis method with constant substrate temperature of 400°C. The films are characterized with various deposition times. Morphologies, crystalline structure and optical transmission of prepared nanostructures were investigated by a scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction and Ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer, respectively. The XRD results showed that ZnO nanostructures were wurtzite-structure (hexagonal) ZnO. The ZnO films has confirmed the nanostructures of nanoflakes, nanosticks and nanospores. These films show the band gap of 2.82-2.88 eV, which is very suitable for solar cell application.