Preparation and characterization of ZnO:Co nanoparticles as DSSC photocathode

This work represents modification of Zinc oxide nanoparticles by doping with Co nanoparticles to yield Co/ZnO. The produced Co/ZnO nanoparticles was examined by atomic force microscope(AFM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), BET specific surface area and X-rays diffraction techniqueXRD). From the obtained results, it was found that Co/ZnO nanoparticles was arranged homogeneously. ZnO NPs crystallinity has also been found to not be missing with the presence of cobalt nanoparticles. This material was applied as a photo cathode for dye sensitized solar cell (DSSCs). The efficiency of the DSSCs in the current study was as follows: (ri %) was 1.67 %, an Voc 350 mV, a short-circuit current density (Isc) 0.82 mA/cm2, and a fill factor (FF) 0.58.