Synthesis of single-crystalline ZnO nanowires and their applications in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) with a solid polyethylene glycol (PEG) redox electrolyte.

We demonstrate for the first time ZnO nanowire dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) with a solid-state poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) redox electrolyte. From the current-voltage characteristics of this solid PEG electrolyte-based ZnO nanowire DSSCs, the open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current density, and fill factor were determined to be approximately 0.58 V, approximately 1.30 mA/cm2, and 0.31, respectively. We obtained a power conversion efficiency of approximately 0.24% under an incident irradiation of 100 mW/cm2, corresponding to air mass (AM) 1.5 global solar conditions. The solid-state DSSC experienced an efficiency that was approximately 0.1% lower than the efficiency a liquid electrolyte based ZnO nanowire DSSC.