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M. Smirnov, C. Baban and G. I. Rusu, “Structural and Optical Characteristics of Spin-Coated ZnO Thin Films,” Applied Surface Science, Vol. 256, No. 8, 2010, pp. 2405-2408. doi:10.1016/j.apsusc.2009.10.075

has been cited by the following article:

• TITLE: ZnO Spin-Coating of TiO2 Photo-Electrodes to Enhance the Efficiency of Associated Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

  AUTHORS: Fahd Al-Juaid, Amar Merazga, Fouad Abdel-Wahab, Mohamed Al-Amoudi

  KEYWORDS: TiO2 Photo-Electrodes; ZnO Sol-Gel Spin-Coating; Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells; Power Conversion Efficiency

  JOURNAL NAME: World Journal of Condensed Matter Physics, Vol.2 No.4, November 23, 2012

  ABSTRACT: Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) with ZnO spin-coated TiO2 photo-electrodes are compared to DSSC with a bare TiO2 photo-electrode. It is demonstrated that the deposited ZnO of controlled amount, by varying the precursor concentration in the coating sol, can indeed enhance the performance of the DSSC. The measured power conversion efficiency shows a maximum around the precursor concentration 0.1 M and falls down sharply to 0% beyond this point. The results are interpreted on the basis of two competing factors: At ZnO concentrations less than 0.1 M, the formation of an energy barrier increases the photocurrent by reducing the rate of interfacial back-recombination. At ZnO concentrations greater than 0.1 M, the screening of the TiO2 film by thicker ZnO layers decreases the photocurrent through the reduction of TiO2 dye-adsorption efficiency.