Performance of Eu2O3 coated ZnO nanoparticles-based DSSC

To provide an inherent energy barrier between the electrode and electrolyte interface, the surface of the ZnO nanoparticles has been modified by Eu2O3 layer. The synthesis of ZnO, Eu2O3 coated ZnO nanoparticles have been carried out by chemical precipitation method and solvothermal treatment. The synthesized samples were characterized by XRD and the diffraction plane (222) of Eu2O3 detected, demonstrating the existence of Eu2O3 on the surface of ZnO, which is further verified using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The strong quenching in photoluminescence emission, in case of Eu2O3/ZnO nanoparticles, has been attributed to the decrease in recombination rate of photo-generated electron–hole pairs. Compared to ZnO electrodes, Eu2O3 coated ZnO electrodes adsorbed more dye. The photoelectrochemical properties of the Eu2O3/ZnO electrodes have been found to improve and the energy conversion efficiency increase from 0.44 to 1.45 % under the illumination of simulated light of 100 mW/cm2.