EVERGREEN

Joint Journal of Novel Carbon Resource Sciences and Green Asia Strategy

ISSN:2189-0420 (Print until Mar 2020)
ISSN:2432-5953 (Online)

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Simple Hydrothermal Method for One-Dimensional Synthesis of Al-Doped ZnO for an Organic Dye-Based DSSC Application

Herlin Pujiarti1, Nabella Sholeha1, Merkus Diantoro1, Adisria Marise Afianti1, Muhammad Safwan Abd Aziz2
1Physics, Universitas Negeri Malang, Indonesia
2Laser center, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Malaysia
Evergreen, Vol. 12, Iss. 02, pp. 952–961, 2025
DOI: 10.5109/7363487
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
Received: November 06, 2024 | Revised: May 21, 2025 | Accepted: May 26, 2025 | Published: June 2025
Abstract
Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods are promising photoanode materials for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) due to their high electron mobility, favorable aspect ratio, and tunable optoelectronic properties. In this study, vertically aligned ZnO nanorods were hydrothermally grown on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrates and doped with Al³⁺ (1–7 at%) to optimize charge transport. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed successful Al³⁺ incorporation, evidenced by a slight peak shift, while retaining the hexagonal wurtzite structure. The nanorods exhibited controlled morphologies, with diameters ranging from 78 to 141 nm and aspect ratios varying between 13% and 37%. Optical characterization revealed that sensitization with D205 dye extended light absorption into the visible spectrum, significantly improving photon harvesting. Among the tested dopant concentrations, the 1% Al³⁺-doped ZnO (AZO-1%) photoanode demonstrated optimal performance, achieving a short-circuit current density (JSC) of 25.7 mA/cm² and a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 4.15%. These results highlight the synergistic effects of Al³⁺ doping and nanostructural engineering in enhancing DSSC performance through improved charge collection and reduced recombination.
Keywords
hydrothermal ; ZnO ; nanorods ; DSSC ; Al-doped
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