In this research, ZnO thin films were fabricated by using ZnO nanocrystals with controlled size and morphology. Firstly, nano-sized ZnO particles were synthesized by hydrolysis and condensation of zinc acetate dihydrate (Zn salt) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) in methanol. Also, water was added into the reaction medium in order to control the morphology of ZnO nanoparticles from spherical particles to rods. Secondly, the synthesized particles were dispersed in 1-butanol using methoxyethoxyacetic acid (MEA) as a ligand for obtaining transparent and stable dispersion. Finally, ZnO thin films were deposited onto the glass substrate by using the prepared ZnO dispersions through the spin coating process. The ZnO dispersions containing nanorods or spheres and the Zn salt solution were used for the fabrication of dense and smooth ZnO films. Also, the thermal treatment was performed to improve the connectivity and the crystallinity of ZnO particles by removing the organic fraction of the films. To investigate into the effects of ZnO layers having different morphology properties, the prepared ZnO film was used as an electron transport layer applied for inverted organic photovoltaic cells. The analyses were carried out by using FE-SEM, TEM, AFM, DLS, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and current density-voltage characteristics.

Fabrication of ZnO thin films and their application for inverted organic photovoltaic cells

247th National Meeting (2014)

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