Applied Chemical Engineering

Synthesis and Characterization of Nanocomposites for ZnO and Application in Solar Cells

Ali S

Chemistry Department, College of Science, University of Kufa, Iraq

M, Kuba

Chemistry Department, College of Science, University of Kufa, Iraq

Amer M. J. AL - Shammari

Chemistry Department, College of Science, University of Kufa, Iraq

Manal F.M. AL-Khakani

Chemistry Department, College of Science, University of Kufa, Iraq

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59429/ace.v9i3.5987

Keywords: Semiconductors, photoelectrodes, DSSC construction, nanochemical production, and conversion efficiency

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Abstract

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were fabricated using ZnO, ZnO/TiO₂, and ZnO/NiO nanoparticles and nanocomposites prepared via the co-deposition method. The synthesized materials were employed as photoelectrodes and sensitized with two dyes, namely Brilliant Blue FCF (E133) and red cabbage extract, to investigate their influence on the photovoltaic performance of DSSCs. The structural, morphological, surface, and optical properties of the prepared materials were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis, and optical measurements. The characterization results confirmed the successful synthesis of nanostructured metal oxide materials and revealed significant differences in crystallinity, morphology, surface area, and optical behavior among the investigated samples. The photovoltaic performance of the fabricated DSSCs was evaluated from current density–voltage (J–V) measurements under an illumination intensity of 22.53 mW cm⁻². The photovoltaic parameters, including open-circuit voltage (Voc), short-circuit current density (Jsc), fill factor (FF), maximum output power (Pmax), and power conversion efficiency (η), were determined and compared. The results demonstrated that DSSCs sensitized with Brilliant Blue FCF exhibited superior photovoltaic performance compared with those sensitized with red cabbage extract. The highest photovoltaic performance was achieved for the ZnO photoelectrode sensitized with Brilliant Blue FCF dye, yielding a Voc of 0.87 V, a Jsc of 1.56 mA/cm², a fill factor of 0.6406, a maximum output power of 1.3933 mW, and a power conversion efficiency of 3.865%. The enhanced photovoltaic performance was attributed to the favorable structural and surface characteristics of the ZnO photoelectrode, including its crystallinity, morphology, and available surface area, which promoted efficient dye adsorption, light harvesting, and charge transport. These findings highlight the potential of ZnO-based photoelectrodes and appropriate dye selection for improving DSSC performance and provide valuable insights into the relationship between material properties and photovoltaic behavior.

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