Development and application of ZnO based photo-anode in dye sensitized solar cells

The development and application of ZnO in dye sensitized solar cells are reviewed in this paper. Doctor-blade, screen printing and self-assembly electro-deposition methods are introduced. Attentions are especially paid on the recent developed methods including mechanical compression, chemical bath deposition, chemical vapor deposition and low temperature hydrothermal methods. The advantages and disadvantages of different methods are compared. Micro-and nanometer composite structure and line electron transport theory are also discussed. It is pointed that the future development in dye sensitized ZnO solar cells is not only exploring new methods and technologies for fabricating ZnO photo-anode, but also synthesizing novel dyes to increase the solar-to-energy conversion efficiency.