Influence of Polyethylene Glycol on the Morphology of Electrodeposited ZnO Films for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) was used as an additive for the electrodeposition of ZnO films from Zn(NO3)2. The presence of PEG in the bath resulted in a more open morphology and an increase of the active surface area of the ZnO films, and thermogravimetric analysis showed that a small amount of PEG was incorporated in the films. As a consequence of the improved film morphology, dye-sensitized solar cells prepared with galvanostatically deposited ZO films showed a higher conversion efficiency.