Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanopyramids with Usability in Photovoltaics

In the present work, ZnO nanopyramids are produced by a colloidal synthesis. The Oleic acid was used as the ligand for stabilizing and agent for pyramid-shape of nanoparticles. The results showed that increase in reaction time caused diversity in size distribution and lead to far away from pyramid shape. The XRD and TEM results showed that the wurtzite crystalline structure nanopyramids were produced with an average size 10 nm and uniformity in size distribution. In order to avoid the adverse effects of ligand on changing the properties of ZnO layer of nanoparticles formed by spin coating method on the solar cell substrate annealing operation for removing of the ligand, was used. TGA results showed that annealing temperature of about 400 ○C is suitable and changing environment from N2 to O2 does not make much difference. The SEM result and transmission spectrum showed that for thickness of around 100 nm, the transparency is appropriate.