One-step synthesis of stoichiometric Cu2ZnSnSe4 as counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells.

Cu(2)ZnSnSe(4) (CZTSe) nanoparticles with diameters of 200-300 nm were synthesized by one-step solvothermal method without surfactants or templates. The structure, composition and morphology of CZTSe nanoparticles were characterized by XRD, XPS, Raman spectrum, EDS, FESEM and TEM. The results indicated that the nanoparticles were single phase and nearly stoichiometric composition.

Effect of highly ordered single-crystalline TiO2 nanowire length on the photovoltaic performance of dye-sensitized solar cells.

One-dimensional semiconductor nanostructures grown directly onto transparent conducting oxide substrates with a high internal surface area are most desirable for high-efficiency dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Herein, we present a multicycle hydrothermal synthesis process to produce vertically aligned, single crystal rutile TiO(2) nanowires with different lengths between 1 and 8 μm for application as the working electrode in DSSCs. Optimum performance was obtained with a TiO(2) nanowire length of 2.

Solution fabrication and photoelectrical properties of CuInS₂ nanocrystals on TiO₂ nanorod array.

One-dimensional semiconductor architectures are receiving attention in preparing photovoltaic solar cells because of its superior charge transport as well as excellent light-harvesting efficiency. In this study, vertically aligned single-crystalline TiO(2) nanorods array was grown directly on transparent conductive glass (FTO), and then CuInS(2) nanocrystals were deposited on nanorods array by spin coating method to form TiO(2)/CuInS(2) heterostructure films. The resulting nanostructure assembly and composition was confirmed by field-emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) , transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM, and X-ray diffraction(XRD).