Nano-structured TiO2/ZnO nanocomposite for dye-sensitized solar cells application: A review

Dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC), the third generation photovoltaic technology is most promising alternative photovoltaic technology due to low-cost, stable electrical generation, good temperature stability, non-toxic emission during manufacturing, rapid efficiency enhancement and wider flexibility in design. The present study reviews the advanced techniques and research trends of ZnO compotization with TiO2 in different nano-structures. Performance efficiency gap between the conventional silicon solar cell and DSSC is an intensely promoted area of research. It results in an efficient photoanode which further leads to the improvement in DSSC. Their performance is further enhanced using engineered nanostructured metal oxide photoanode. The study emphasizes on nano-compotization of conventional titanium dioxide with other metal oxide in different structures. It is one of the active research technologies for efficient DSSC. Comparative performance study shows that three dimensional and hybrid nanostructured TiO2/ZnO nanocomposite such as nanodonuts, nanoflower and 3D hierarchical heterostructure have better performance. Their open circuit voltage, short circuit current, fill factor and efficiency lies in the range of 0.76–0.82 V, 3.24–16.70 mA/cm2, 0.17–0.69% and 0.51–9% respectively. Thus they result in rapid electron transfer rate, slower charge recombination rate and higher surface area.