ZnO photoanodes with different morphologies grown by electrochemical deposition and their dye-sensitized solar cell properties

In this article, we grew zinc oxide (ZnO) samples with different morphologies, e.g. film, nanowire and nanosheet, with electrochemical deposition (ECD) by controlling the precursor concentration and the growth mechanism was also discussed. The morphology influence on the photovoltaic conversion efficiency of the dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) assembled with different ZnO photoanodes was investigated by measuring current density–voltage (J–V) curve, quantum efficiency (QE) spectrum and electrochemical impedance spectrum (EIS). It was found that the DSSC constructed with ZnO nanowire array as photoanode can absorb more dye, improve the photon utilization rate and provide rapid collection channels for the photoexcited carriers. Therefore, the photovoltaic conversion efficiency of ZnO nanowire DSSC was improved.