• Chavillon, Benoit

Abstract

The objective of the thesis was clearly identified as the synthesis of nanostructured p-type semiconductors for the fabrication of p-Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (p-DSSCs). In that framework, our studies concerned first the preparation of crack free homogeneous films of NiO with control of their thickness by an hydrothermal method. Then, a low fraction of metallic nickel was systematically detected which could explain in part the good photovoltaic performances of solar cell with NiO as photocathode. However, to achieve higher yield, NiO must be replaced by an other p-type semiconductor to deliver higher VOC. In that context, the synthesis of CuGaO2 nanoparticles by an hydrothermal method was undertaken with ethylene glycol as reducing agent. p-DSSC was set up with this material and exhibits interesting photovoltaic performance. In parallel, synthesis of nanoparticles of LaOCuS was carried out. Unfortunately, this compound has not been tested in dye sensitized solar cell because of a lack of an appropriate redox mediator. Finally, the stabilization of p-type ZnO:N was performed by nitridation of zinc peroxide ZnO2. This compound crystallizes with a wurtzite structure which accommodates the presence of peroxide groups, nitride anions and zinc vacancies.

Topics

• nanoparticle
• compound
• nickel
• zinc
• crack
• nitride
• p-type semiconductor