Preparation and characterization of hematite nanoparticles-decorated zinc oxide particles (ZnO/Fe2O3) as photoelectrodes for solar cell applications

Abstract

Because of the socio-environmental and economic impacts of the use of fossil fuels, the demand for the diversification of the energy matrix has increased. Energy devices utilizing renewable energy such as solar cells stand out as a possible solution to this problem. Therefore, in order to realize the practical applications of solar cells, it is imperative to develop novel structural materials and to optimize the properties of the existing ones. In this study, we prepared a photoelectrode using hematite-decorated zinc oxide particles (ZnO/Fe2O3). The field-emission scanning electron microscopy and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller results confirmed that Fe2O3 coated the surface of the ZnO particles and improved their photoelectrochemical properties. The composite was found to be a promising photoelectrode for solar cells.