Effect of composite semi-conductor photoanodes on dye-sensitive hybrid solar cell performance

In this thesis, it was investigated how TiO2 and ZnO powders produced by hydrothermal method affect the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells. From the produced powders, 5 different dye-sensitive hybrid solar cells by weight were produced as Pure TiO2, 3:1 TiO2/ZnO, 1:1 TiO2/ZnO, 1:3 TiO2/ZnO and pure ZnO. Fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) was preferred as the conductive glass, platinum (Pt) as the counter electrode, and ruthenium (Ru) as the dye. ZnO:TiO2 photoanodes in different ratios were coated on the FTO by screen printing method. Morphological and mineralogical analyzes of the produced photoanodes were determined by SEM, XRD and EDX. XRD analyzes confirmed that the targeted crystal phases were formed in the structure. When the morphology of TiO2 and ZnO particles was examined, it was observed with SEM images that the particles were tightly packed and a smoother structure was formed as the amount of TiO2 increased. The photovoltaic parameters of the produced dye-sensitized solar cells were analyzed with a solar simulator device. It was determined that as the TiO2:ZnO ratio changes, the solar cell efficiencies (in the range of 0.0013-2.3613) change. It was observed that the dye-sensitized solar cell with pure TiO2 photoanode exhibited the highest efficiency (ƞ), and it was determined that there was a clear increase in cell efficiency as the TiO2 ratio increased. The increase in efficiency as the amount of TiO2 increases proportionally showed that TiO2 has a more stable structure.