The effects of shell characteristics on the current-voltage behaviors of dye-sensitized solar cells based on $ZnO/TiO2$ core/shell arrays

The $ZnO/TiO2$ core/shell structure was formed through deposition of a $TiO2$ coating layer on the hydrothermally fabricated ZnO nanorod arrays through radio frequency magnetron sputtering. The effects of the $TiO2$ shell’s characteristics on the current-voltage behaviors of the core/shell-based dye-sensitized solar cells (CS-DSSC) were investigated. As the rates of injection, transfer, and recombination of electrons of such CS-DSSC were affected significantly by the crystallization, morphology, and continuity of the $TiO2$ shells, the photovoltaic efficiency was accordingly varied remarkably. In addition, the efficiency was further improved by enhancing the surface area in the core/shell electrode.