Synthesis and characterization of Zinc (Zn) doped by Copper Oxide (CuO) nanoparticles and it's Applications in Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs)

Abstract

In this study synthesized zinc doped by copper oxide nanoparticles with formula Cu1-xZnxO(x = 0.01, 0.03, 0.05 and 0.07) by co-precipitation method. Using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Ultraviolet-Visible Spectroscopy (UV-VIS) to investigate the structural and optical properties and development of a Cu1-xZnxO base on Dye Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSCs). FTIR spectra recorded in wave number in region (400–4000cm−1) for the synthesized nanoparticles, the mean peak was found in range (3220-3500 cm−1) due to the O –H stretching mode, N-H2 Stretch at 3127 cm−1, at wave number (2855-2994cm−1) found the C-H stretch Alkanes, H-C=O: C-H stretch corresponded to Aldehydes found at 2566 cm−1 founded S-H stretch, CO2 and C≡N stretch a weak band appeared at about 2329 cm−1and 2349 cm−1 , C=C- stretch& N-H bend was observed at (1642 – 1641) cm−1, at 1408 cm-1 is due to C-C stretch (in-ring) of Aromatics , at 1170 cm-1 and 1129 cm-1 have been vibrations of C-N, C-O for Alcohols. The optical energy band gap value decreases from 2.891eV with CuO sample to2.827 eV for Zn0.07Cu0.93O sample. For the dye sensitizer solar cell that mead by CuO nanoparticles doped with Zn observed the power conversion efficiency (η) was increasing with increasing Zn concentration ( from 0.26 % for CuO sample to 0.521 % for Zn0.07Cu0.93O sample ), and also the current density increased with increased zinc concentration . And Suggestion for future studies effect temperature parameters on the material and used it on other application (optoelectronic applications liked Diode, LED, Photochemical sensor and so …) and using XRD and SEM techniques to investigation morphology properties.