Session III ( Solid / liquid interfaces ; Metals ; Semiconductors ; Oxides and insulators )

Thin films of Zinc Oxide/Eosin Y were deposited on tungsten wires via electrochemical deposition from aqueous solutions by using the dye Eosin Y as a structure-directing agent (SDA). After deposition the SDA was removed by an aqueous alkaline solution, leaving behind a porous zinc oxide film. As a sensitizer, the dye D149 was adsorbed to the surface of the porous zinc oxide. The films were studied as photo anodes in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSC) using the tungsten wire as back contact. The photoelectrochemical performance was measured in an iodide-containing electrolyte and a platinum wire as counter electrode. As light source a xenon arc lamp with an energy output of 100mW/cm2 was used. A photovoltaic efficiency of such cells of up to 1.4 % was reached but the films could not be stabilized under the present conditions. Degradation mechanisms and optimization strategies will be discussed.