Environmentally benign synthesis of TiO₂-ZnO nanocomposite for efficient dye-sensitized solar cell

Abstract This work presents betanin dye-loaded TiO 2 -ZnO thin film solar cells for energy harvesting. The nanocomposite was prepared by the one-step microwave-assisted technique. Structural studies exhibit mixed phases of rutile and wurtzite structure ZnO respectively. morphological investigations deposited showed interconnected many-fold nanoflakes morphology. EDS confirms formation stoichiometric films. An optical study demonstrates electronic transition with a bandgap range 2.72 to 2.94 eV. Photovoltaic performance shows photocurrent from 1.62 2.73 mA cm –2 photovoltage 659–795 mV in 3.25% photo-conversion efficiency sample TZO3 dye-sensitized cell (DSSCs).