Assembly and characterization of ZnO nanoparticles for Grätzel's solar cells

This research aimed to build hybrid solar cells, based on Grätzel method. We used the Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) polymer as a substrate containing a layer of Indium Tin Oxide (ITO). Films of ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) synthesized by Pechini Method, and four different dyes were tested: Congo Red (CR), Bromocresol Green (BG), Acridine Orange (AO) and a Ruthenium Complex (RC). ZnO NPs were analyzed by XRD, which generated peaks corresponding to hexagonal wurtzite crystalline structure. We also conducted analysis by UV–Vis. Spectroscopy and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM). Rietveld analysis determined the crystal size of 115.23 ± 28.16 nm. The deposition of ZnO and dye thin films were made through spin-coating. The electrical properties of the formed films were characterized with Van der Pawn method. Efficiency in converting light in electricity under an OSRAM 20W light bulb was tested after the devices were built. The smaller sheet resistance results were obtained for materi