The simple fabrication of nanorods mass production for the dye-sensitized solar cell

¹ Mechanical Engineering Department, Polytechnic of Gajah Tunggal, 15135 Tangerang, Indonesia
² Mechanical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Mercu Buana University, 11650 Jakarta, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: dharmanto.mesin@gmail.com

Abstract

ZnO nanorods were successfully synthesized by the plasma torch with the zinc powder as the source of ZnO. Several testing was conducted to examine the results of ZnO nanoparticles among others are X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results of ZnO nanorods diameter vary from 87 nm to 263 nm which can be seen from SEM images and it is length varies from 300 to 1000 nm. It was found from XRD data that a sharp peak occured at 36.253°. It is indicated a good crystal growth and agreed well with the standard data (JCPDF-ICDD card no.: 36-1451). Effects of electrical current variations of plasma torch of 20, 25, and 30 Amperes on the size of ZnO nanorods are indicated from aspect ratio (72.85, 87.42, and 103 nm). The effects of electrical current of plasma torch on the purity of ZnO were about 95.61%, 98.46%, and 96.49% respectively. The performance of the solar cell at the time with the values of Voc, Jsc, FF, and efficiency are 0.466 V, 1.524 mA/cm ²,, 51.95%, and 0.37% respectively. ZnO nanorods were successfully synthesized by the plasma torch with the zinc powder as the source of ZnO.