Enhancement of organic solar cell efficiency by altering the zinc oxide photoanode nanostructure morphology

The current paper examines the effects of zinc oxide nanostructure configurations, as photo-anode formations organic solar cells, on performance power conversion. To this end, some experiments were conducted during which a near band edge emission red shift ~ 0.11 eV from nanoparticles to vertically oriented nano-rods was observed. This bandgap narrowing promotes transferring photo-excited electrons towards conduction photo-anode. A 48% decrease in deep level intensity revealed smaller non-radiative waves due lower crystal disorder. Using nanorods photo-anodes, photovoltaic efficiency cell improved considerably. nano-rod-structured photo-anodes showed 0.22 V rise open-circuit voltage, 0.76 0.98 V, and 2.08 times increment overall conversion performance, compared nanoparticle-structured photo-anodes. superior is attributed greater chance charge recombination light-trapping more efficient light absorption, high crystallinity that grants easier electron mobility for nanorods. Moreover, charge-transfer resistance (0.85 Ω) achieved better electro-catalytic action oxygen reduction vertical other two configurations (1.62 Ω 4.06 Ω). boosted by increasing short-circuit density (JSC). fabricated may contribute sustainable environmentally friendly electricity generation process through reducing consumption non-renewable energy sources.