This thesis presents selected methodologies developed in our laboratory for growing ZnO thin films by chemical bath deposition (CBD), as well as ZnO films applications for dye-sensitized solar cells. The following three broad topics are addressed in this manuscript. The first topic is an easy method to systematically control ZnO crystal size and shape thin film. With the increase of Rm, the molar ratio of Cd2+/Zn2+, ZnO crystals transformed from long-and-slim hexagonal rods to fat-and-short hexagonal pyramids, and then to twinning hexagonal dots as observed by SEM. The second topic presents a solution based approach to grow high density vertically-aligned ZnO rod arrays with multi-stage terrace structure (HDVAMT) and their enhanced DSSC efficiency. The third topic is the studies of RuN3 dye adsorption onto nanostructured ZnO films. The results reveal that more dye is adsorbed onto ZnO films and less dye aggregation occurs at 40oC than those at 25oC.

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a iconic semiconductor oxide due to its wide direct band gap of 3.3 eV and large exciton binding energy of 60 meV at room temperature, high electron mobility (155 cm2.V-1.S-1), ZnO is recognized as a promising optoelectronic material in the blue-ultraviolet (UV) region and an excellent candidate for a dye-sensitized oxide semiconductor solar cell and field emitter. By controlling the reaction conditions during heterogeneous deposition of ZnO from aqueous solutions, tunable nanostructures have been readily fabricated. The potential application of nanomaterials depends on the shape of nanostructure, and controlled morphology can modulate the properties of nanomaterials. Hierarchical ZnO nanostructures reported here might provide a good candidate for solar cells, gas sensor and field emission applications. In the book we have reported synthesis of 0D, 1D, 2D, 3D and multidimensional ZnO nanostructures like nanoparticles, nanorods, nanoneedles, nanotowers, nanoflowers, nanosyringes, bottle brush, cake and cactus-like by aqueous chemical route at relatively low temperature and cost. The synthesized nanostructures have been used for dye and quantum dot sensitized sola

This book guides beginners in the areas of thin film preparation, characterization, and device making, while providing insight into these areas for experts. As chemically deposited metal oxides are currently gaining attention in development of devices such as solar cells, supercapacitors, batteries, sensors, etc., the book illustrates how the chemical deposition route is emerging as a relatively inexpensive, simple, and convenient solution for large area deposition. The advancement in the nanostructured materials for the development of devices is fully discussed.

Zinc oxide (ZnO) belongs to the class of transparent conducting oxides that can be used as transparent electrodes in electronic devices or heated windows. In this book the material properties of, the deposition technologies for, and applications of zinc oxide in thin film solar cells are described in a comprehensive manner. Structural, morphological, optical and electronic properties of ZnO are treated in this review.

Thin-film solar cells are either emerging or about to emerge from the research laboratory to become commercially available devices finding practical various applications. Currently no textbook outlining the basic theoretical background, methods of fabrication and applications currently exist. Thus, this book aims to present for the first time an in-depth overview of this topic covering a broad range of thin-film solar cell technologies including both organic and inorganic materials, presented in a systematic fashion, by the scientific leaders in the respective domains. It covers a broad range of related topics, from physical principles to design, fabrication, characterization, and applications of novel photovoltaic devices.

Several forms of thin-film solar cells are being examined as alternatives to silicon-solar cells-one of the most promising technologies is the dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC), with proven efficiencies that approach 11%. This book, which provides a comprehensive look at this promising technology, aims to provide both a graduate level text that bring

This book is a printed edition of the Special Issue "Zinc Oxide Nanostructures: Synthesis and Characterization" that was published in Materials

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is an n-type semiconductor with versatile applications such as optical devices in ultraviolet region, piezoelectric transducers, transparent electrode for solar cells and gas sensors. This book "ZnO Thin Films: Properties, Performance and Applications" gives a deep insight in the intriguing science of zinc oxide thin films. It is devoted to cover the most recent advances and reviews the state of the art of ZnO thin films applications involving energy harvesting, microelectronics, magnetic devices, photocatalysis, photovoltaics, optics, thermoelectricity, piezoelectricity, electrochemistry, temperature sensing. It serves as a fundamental information source on the techniques and methodologies involved in zinc oxide thin films growth, characterization, post-deposition plasma treatments and device processing. This book will be invaluable to the experts to consolidate their knowledge and provide insight and inspiration to beginners wishing to learn about zinc oxide thin films.