Well-aligned arrays of vertically oriented ZnO nanowires electrodeposited on ITO-coated glass and their integration in dye sensitized solar cells

Abstract

We report on the effects of post-growth hydrothermal treatment and thermal annealing on properties of vertically aligned ZnO nanowires arrays (NWs). The samples were electrochemically deposited (ECD) on indium–tin oxide (ITO)-coated glass substrates and subjected to post-growth hydrothermal treatment (HT) at 150°C and, for the purpose of comparison, to conventional thermal annealing (CTA) in a furnace at 150, 400, and 600°C in air. Sample characterization was realized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), SEM, TEM, selected-area electron diffraction (SAED) and photoluminescence (PL).