Rose bengal-sensitized ZrO2 photoanode for dye-sensitized solar cell

The present work reports the first demonstration of zirconium oxide (ZrO2) as a photoanode and rose bengal (RB) as a sensitizer. ZrO2 photoanode films were deposited on indium-doped tin oxide (ITO)-coated glass substrate by doctor blade technique. ZrO2 photoanodes were sensitized by rose bengal dye. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was applied to reveal the surface morphological changes for the RB-sensitized and unsensitized ZrO2 photoanodes. Using UV–vis spectrophotometer, optical absorption analyses were carried out for the RB-sensitized photoanodes. Platinum-coated ITO electrode was used as a counter electrode for electrons collection. The electron transfer at the interfaces was studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The device fabricated using the photoanode with dye loading time of 24 h performed better, it showed the photocurrent density (JSC), open-circuit voltage (VOC), and fill factor (FF) of about 0.01 mA/cm2, 258 mV, and 34%, respectively.