Mechanism and Optimized Process Conditions of Forming One-Dimensional ZnO Nanorods with Al-Doping by Electrodeposition Method
Textured transparent conductive electrodes for thin-film solar cells have been considered as an effective route for enhancing sunlight harvest due to light trapping. Here, we report a self-assembling electrochemical approach for preparing Al-doped ZnO nanorod arrays (NRAs) as light-trapping electrod...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2021-01-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Photoenergy |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/8827911 |
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| author | Jianlin Chen Yu Zhang Wei Qiu Shu Chen Chang Liu Zhuoyin Peng Jian Chen |
| author_facet | Jianlin Chen Yu Zhang Wei Qiu Shu Chen Chang Liu Zhuoyin Peng Jian Chen |
| author_sort | Jianlin Chen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Textured transparent conductive electrodes for thin-film solar cells have been considered as an effective route for enhancing sunlight harvest due to light trapping. Here, we report a self-assembling electrochemical approach for preparing Al-doped ZnO nanorod arrays (NRAs) as light-trapping electrodes from a mixed aqueous solution of zinc nitrate and aluminium nitrate. The mechanism and optimized process conditions of forming one-dimensional ZnO nanorods with Al-doping were systematically investigated. The results showed that Al atoms were successfully doped into ZnO crystal lattice, and the morphologies could be controlled by adjusting the Al3+/Zn2+ ratio in the precursors and deposition time. The Al-doped ZnO films grew into well-aligned hexagonal NRAs with c-axis perpendicular to the substrates and then transited into a mixture of nanosheets and nanorods with Al3+/Zn2+ ratio increasing. They exhibited good electrical conductivity with a sheet resistance of 68-167Ω/square and appropriate visible light transmittance of 61-82%. Taking into account of desired morphology and phase purity, as well as good electrical conductivity and optical transmittance, the optimal window of Al3+/Zn2+ ratio in the precursors was determined between 1 at% and 2 at% with applied potential of -1.5V, bath temperature of 80°C, and deposition time of about 30min. The electrodeposition method provides a facile and efficient route for obtaining large-area textured transparent electrodes at a low cost. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b11e01a5243c47fda6a42396e98569e3 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1110-662X 1687-529X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Photoenergy |
| spelling | doaj-art-b11e01a5243c47fda6a42396e98569e32025-02-03T06:06:27ZengWileyInternational Journal of Photoenergy1110-662X1687-529X2021-01-01202110.1155/2021/88279118827911Mechanism and Optimized Process Conditions of Forming One-Dimensional ZnO Nanorods with Al-Doping by Electrodeposition MethodJianlin Chen0Yu Zhang1Wei Qiu2Shu Chen3Chang Liu4Zhuoyin Peng5Jian Chen6School of Energy and Power Engineering, Changsha University of Science & Technology, Hunan 410114, ChinaSchool of Energy and Power Engineering, Changsha University of Science & Technology, Hunan 410114, ChinaSchool of Energy and Power Engineering, Changsha University of Science & Technology, Hunan 410114, ChinaSchool of Energy and Power Engineering, Changsha University of Science & Technology, Hunan 410114, ChinaSchool of Energy and Power Engineering, Changsha University of Science & Technology, Hunan 410114, ChinaSchool of Energy and Power Engineering, Changsha University of Science & Technology, Hunan 410114, ChinaSchool of Energy and Power Engineering, Changsha University of Science & Technology, Hunan 410114, ChinaTextured transparent conductive electrodes for thin-film solar cells have been considered as an effective route for enhancing sunlight harvest due to light trapping. Here, we report a self-assembling electrochemical approach for preparing Al-doped ZnO nanorod arrays (NRAs) as light-trapping electrodes from a mixed aqueous solution of zinc nitrate and aluminium nitrate. The mechanism and optimized process conditions of forming one-dimensional ZnO nanorods with Al-doping were systematically investigated. The results showed that Al atoms were successfully doped into ZnO crystal lattice, and the morphologies could be controlled by adjusting the Al3+/Zn2+ ratio in the precursors and deposition time. The Al-doped ZnO films grew into well-aligned hexagonal NRAs with c-axis perpendicular to the substrates and then transited into a mixture of nanosheets and nanorods with Al3+/Zn2+ ratio increasing. They exhibited good electrical conductivity with a sheet resistance of 68-167Ω/square and appropriate visible light transmittance of 61-82%. Taking into account of desired morphology and phase purity, as well as good electrical conductivity and optical transmittance, the optimal window of Al3+/Zn2+ ratio in the precursors was determined between 1 at% and 2 at% with applied potential of -1.5V, bath temperature of 80°C, and deposition time of about 30min. The electrodeposition method provides a facile and efficient route for obtaining large-area textured transparent electrodes at a low cost.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/8827911 |
| spellingShingle | Jianlin Chen Yu Zhang Wei Qiu Shu Chen Chang Liu Zhuoyin Peng Jian Chen Mechanism and Optimized Process Conditions of Forming One-Dimensional ZnO Nanorods with Al-Doping by Electrodeposition Method International Journal of Photoenergy |
| title | Mechanism and Optimized Process Conditions of Forming One-Dimensional ZnO Nanorods with Al-Doping by Electrodeposition Method |
| title_full | Mechanism and Optimized Process Conditions of Forming One-Dimensional ZnO Nanorods with Al-Doping by Electrodeposition Method |
| title_fullStr | Mechanism and Optimized Process Conditions of Forming One-Dimensional ZnO Nanorods with Al-Doping by Electrodeposition Method |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mechanism and Optimized Process Conditions of Forming One-Dimensional ZnO Nanorods with Al-Doping by Electrodeposition Method |
| title_short | Mechanism and Optimized Process Conditions of Forming One-Dimensional ZnO Nanorods with Al-Doping by Electrodeposition Method |
| title_sort | mechanism and optimized process conditions of forming one dimensional zno nanorods with al doping by electrodeposition method |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/8827911 |
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