An Improvement Of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell By Acid Treatment On Modified Zno Photoanode

An acid treatment of ZnO films was presented using HCl and HNO3 to improve the ZnO surface properties for applying a photoanode in dye-sensitized solar cell. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) image showed that the ZnO films changed after the treatment. Pore area and pore density were increased and a significant decrease in reflectance was observed. The treated films were used as photoanode of dye-sensitized solar cell and efficiency was enhanced. The maximum efficiencies were 0.73% and 0.89% for optimal HCl and HNO3 treatment compared with the non-treated photoanode of 0.64%. The efficiency was enhanced directly correlated to fill factor achievement. The achievement of fill factor was caused by an increase of pore area and pore density which lead an improvement of photoanode/dye/electrolyte interface. These results implied that HCl and HNO3 have potential to improve porous property of ZnO film for dye-sensitized solar cell application.