A layer-by-layer assembled graphene/zinc sulfide/polypyrrole thin-film electrode via electrophoretic deposition for solar cells

• Published in: Thin solid films Vol. 552; pp. 204 - 211
• Main Authors: Sookhakian, M., Amin, Y.M., Baradaran, S., Tajabadi, M.T., Golsheikh, A. Moradi, Basirun, W.J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 03-02-2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Chemistry; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Electrochemistry; Electrodes; Electrodes: preparations and properties; Electrophoretic deposition; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; Fullerenes and related materials; diamonds, graphite; General and physical chemistry; Graphene; Indium tin oxide; Materials science; Nanostructure; Natural energy; Other semiconductors; Photoelectric effect; Photovoltaic cells; Photovoltaic conversion; Photovoltaic response; Physics; Polypyrrole nanotubes; Solar cells; Solar cells. Photoelectrochemical cells; Solar energy; Specific materials; Thin films; Zinc sulfide; Zinc sulfides; Zinc sulfide; Polypyrrole nanotubes; Solar cells; Photovoltaic response; Graphene; Electrophoretic deposition; Composite film; Fourier transform spectroscopy; Nanosheet; Nanotubes; Glass; XRD; Photovoltaic cell; Transients; Thin films; Nanoparticles; IV characteristic; Nanomaterial synthesis; Photocurrents; Raman spectroscopy; Transmission electron microscopy; II-VI semiconductors; Thin layer electrode; Morphology; Photoconductivity; Nanostructured materials; Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis
• ISSN: 0040-6090; 1879-2731
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tsf.2013.12.019

An organic–inorganic photovoltaic electrode consisting of graphene nanosheets, zinc sulfide nanoparticles (ZnS) and polypyrrole nanotubes (PPy) was fabricated on indium tin oxide (ITO) glass using layer-by-layer electrophoretic deposition. The morphology and structure of the as-fabricated electrode were confirmed by X-ray diffraction, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The photovoltaic properties of the ZnS, ZnS/PPy (ZP) and graphene/ZnS/PPy (GZP) ternary composite films modified on ITO electrodes were investigated for their solar cell performance. Both transient photocurrent and current–voltage curve measurements illustrated that the photocurrent and the power conversion efficiency of the GZP ternary composite film were significantly enhanced compared to the ZnS and ZP films. Based on these results, PPy nanotubes are an excellent sensitizer and hole acceptor, ZnS nanoparticles act as a bridge and graphene nanosheets are an excellent conductive collector and transporter, which means that, altogether, this combination of materials can significantly increase the photovoltaic efficiency.
•Zinc sulfide (ZnS)/polypyrrole(PPy)/graphene by electrophoretic deposition•Support of ZnS/PPy composite shows efficient performance of organic–inorganic solar cell.•Current–voltage curve and transient current improved in the presence of graphene.