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.