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Synthesis of ultra-long hierarchical ZnO whiskers in a hydrothermal system for dye-sensitised solar cells

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dc.contributor.authorGao, G.
dc.contributor.authorYu, L.
dc.contributor.authorVinu, A.
dc.contributor.authorShapter, J.
dc.contributor.authorBatmunkh, M.
dc.contributor.authorShearer, C.
dc.contributor.authorYin, T.
dc.contributor.authorHuang, P.
dc.contributor.authorCui, D.
dc.date.issued2016
dc.descriptionAccepted 7th November 2016
dc.description.abstractOne-dimensional (1-D) ZnO structures are of great interest for many applications but the direct hydrothermal synthesis of ultra-long ZnO whiskers (>100 μm) remains a great challenge. Herein, we demonstrate the first synthesis of three kinds of ultra-long hierarchical ZnO whiskers, which are defined as ZnO-2 (>100 μm in length), ZnO-3 (>200 μm in length with relatively smooth surface) and ZnO-4 (>200 μm in length with relatively rough surface), via a one-pot hydrothermal process. The maximum length of hierarchical ZnO-4 whiskers can reach up to about 270 μm. The formation of oval-shaped quasi-hollow structural precursors plays a key role for the correct attachment of Zn²⁺-terminated and O²⁻-terminated active surfaces, producing well-ordered Zn²⁺⋯O²⋯Zn²⁺ bonds, and finally promoting the formation of ultra-long ZnO whiskers with hierarchical structures. When the synthesized ultra-long hierarchical ZnO-4 whiskers are mixed with commercial TiO₂for dye-sensitised solar cells (DSCs), the current density increases significantly from 13.68 mA cm⁻² (commercial TiO₂) to 16.81 mA cm⁻²(TiO₂–ZnO hybrid materials). The hybrid materials show a conversion efficiency of 7.95% which is higher as compared to that of commercial TiO₂ (5.87%). This interesting performance of a hybrid material sheds light on the possibility of preparing ultra-long hierarchical ZnO whiskers (>100 μm) with tunable lengths through hydrothermal approaches and their application in DSCs.
dc.description.statementofresponsibilityGuo Gao, Leping Yu, Ajayan Vinu, Joseph G. Shapter, Munkhbayar Batmunkh, Cameron J. Shearer, Ting Yin, Peng Huang and Daxiang Cui
dc.identifier.citationRSC Advances, 2016; 6(111):109406-109413
dc.identifier.doi10.1039/c6ra24316a
dc.identifier.issn2046-2069
dc.identifier.issn2046-2069
dc.identifier.orcidShearer, C. [0000-0002-8192-3696]
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2440/106916
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherRoyal Society of Chemistry
dc.relation.grantNo. 81671737
dc.relation.granthttp://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/DP130101714
dc.rightsThis journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2016
dc.source.urihttps://doi.org/10.1039/c6ra24316a
dc.subjectzinc oxide
dc.subjecthydrothermal system
dc.subjectdye-sensitised solar cells
dc.titleSynthesis of ultra-long hierarchical ZnO whiskers in a hydrothermal system for dye-sensitised solar cells
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

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