ZnO and Fe2O3 nanoparticles have been formed in a silica matrix, through the sol–gel
method and were used as a photoanode to fabricate dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). The
obtained oxides were characterized by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, scanning
electron microscope and UV–visible absorption spectroscopy. The results indicate that
ZnO and Fe2O3 prepared by this method may be used as photoanodes in photo-electrochemical
energy conversion systems. DSSCs have been built using eosin Y as photosensitizer
and their photocurrent, open-circuit voltage, fill factor and efficiency have been
measured under direct sunlight illumination (1000 Wcm2). A ZnO-film solar cell had
the best performance with an open-circuit voltage of Voc¼0.7 V and short-circuit current
density of Isc¼490 mA/cm2. This was attributed to high optical gap energy and transparency
of ZnO compared to Fe2O3. The effects of annealing temperature and concentration
of Fe2O3 on conversion efficiency of the Fe2O3 based solar cell were also studied.