Preparation and characterization of Eosin B- and Erythrosin J-sensitized nanostructured NiO thin film photocathodes

• Published in: Thin solid films Vol. 490; no. 2; pp. 182 - 188
• Main Authors: Vera, F., Schrebler, R., Muñoz, E., Suarez, C., Cury, P., Gómez, H., Córdova, R., Marotti, R.E., Dalchiele, E.A.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 01-11-2005; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Dye sensitization; Electronic structure and electrical properties of surfaces, interfaces, thin films and low-dimensional structures; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; Natural energy; NiO; Photocurrent; Photovoltaic conversion; Physics; Solar cell; Solar cells. Photoelectrochemical cells; Solar energy; Surfaces and interfaces; thin films and whiskers (structure and nonelectronic properties); Solar cell; Photocurrent; NiO; Dye sensitization; Tandem solar cell; Nickel oxides; Atomic force microscopy; Spin glasses; Semiconductor materials; Organic dye; Films; Nanostructures; Photocathodes; Substrates; Thin films; Tin oxides; Preparation; Electrolytes; Photucurrent; Indium oxides
• ISSN: 0040-6090; 1879-2731
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tsf.2005.04.052

Nickel oxide (NiO) thin films were prepared onto ITO/glass substrates by spin-coating, dipping and electrochemically. Studies of the morphological and structural properties of the films were done by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Photoelectrochemical and optical experiments were carried out in order to characterize the semiconductor properties of the nanostructured NiO thin films. The experiments were also done for Eosin B- and Erythrosin J-sensitized nanostructured NiO films, with the aim to visualize their potential application as photocatodes in tandem dye-sensitized solar cells (TDSSC). The NiO grown by dipping was the one presenting the best morphological properties. The photoelectrochemical results for all the bare NiO, NiO–Eosin B and NiO–Erythrosin J/electrolyte (I
2/I
−) systems showed a p-type behavior. An enhancement in the photocurrent has been observed for the systems sensitized with the dyes. For the NiO/Erythrosin J system the enhancement of the current under illumination in comparison to the dark current was about 200%.