Inorganic nanowire based solar cells

• Main Author: Fu, Kunwu.
• Other Authors: Subodh Gautam Mhaisalkar
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Materials::Energy materials
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/43855
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

1-D nanostructure network of tin oxide has advantages in dye-sensitized solar cell because of its direct charge transport channel, higher electron mobility and better long-term stability, compared with the conventionally used TiO2 nanoparticle. This project focuses on growth of tin oxide 1-D nanostructure network via Vapor-liquid-solid method and study the application of tin oxide material in dye-sensitized solar cell. Tin oxide and graphite mixed powders were used as source material to grow nanowires with different lengths and diameters on gold-catalysed substrates. SEM, Alpha surface profiler, EDX and XRD were used to characterize the nanowire film morphology, thicknesses, nanowire diameters, compositions and crystal structures. Liquid dye-sensitized solar cells were fabricated from the tin oxide nanowire films and the efficiencies were tested under 1 Sun AM1.5 global condition. The effect of counter electrode Pt-coating’s amount, nanowire length and nanowire diameter on the solar cell efficiency were studied. Optimum amount of 50μL of 8mM H2PtCl6 was found to give the best efficiency. Nanowire film thickness and diameter were modified to achieve efficiency level at 0.18%. Antimony doping technique was also evaluated for its effect on cell efficiency. The back-illumination cell structure and hetero-junction formed at the interface between the silicon substrate and the tin oxide put a limit on the highest cell efficiency value to 0.18%.