Synthesis of ZnO Nanorods using Hydrothermal Method for Natural Dye Sensitized Photovoltaic Cell

Abstract

The synthesis and fabrication of ZnO nanorod based natural dye-sensitized photovoltaic cell is reported. Seed layers were deposited on glass / ITO substrates using sol gel dip coating method with zinc acetate dihydrate as starting material. ZnO nanorods were synthesized on induced seeds by hydrothermal method using hexamethylenetetramine as a precipitant and zinc nitrate as source at 90°C. The crystal structure, orientation and surface morphology were investigated by X-Ray diffractometer and Scanning Electron Microscopy. Optical properties were studied using UV-visible spectroscopy. Prepared ZnO nanorods were employed as wide band gap semiconductor to construct dye-sensitized photovoltaic cells. Various natural dyes, extracted from natural plants such as leaves and flowers were used as sensitizers for natural dye-sensitized photovoltaic cells. The fill factor and solar-light-to-electricity conversion efficiency were obtained.