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Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures are commonly used as semiconductor films for the photoanodes of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). However, the photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) of DSSCs with ZnO photoanode was compromised by the instability of the physical and chemical properties of ZnO. In this paper, ZnO-reduced graphene oxide (rGO) composite photoanodes were obtained by a one-step electrodeposition method, and the photoelectric performance of the assembled DSSCs were measured. By comparing the PCE and other photoelectric parameters of the DSSCs constructed by the ZnO-rGO photoanodes deposited under different deposition potentials and times, the DSSCs achieved the best performance with the photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE), open circuit voltage (Voc), short-circuit current density (Jsc), and fill factor (FF) of 1.07%, 386.15 mV, 4.65 mA cm−2, and 0.59, respectively. [Display omitted] • We report a one-step electrodeposition method for preparing ZnO-rGO composite. • The photoelectric properties of ZnO-rGO composite photoanodes are higher than ZnO. • The electrodeposition of ZnO was carried out simultaneously with reduction of GO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Silver colloidal nanoparticles were synthesized via an analogous silver mirror reaction process without the traditional Tollens reagent. Instead of ammonia, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) was employed to coordinate with Ag+. The silver nanoparticles and reaction process were characterized by UV–vis spectrometer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results showed that the silver concentration in the colloid reached 0.05mol/l and the colloid could keep stable for over 45 days. The halogen in CTAB is used as surfactant counterion to form a CTABr−Ag+ complex, which can be reduced by glucose to Ag nanoparticles. Besides, the apparent impact on the dispersion and shape of silver nanoparticles induced by the molar ratio of CTAB to Ag is also discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Hierarchical ZnO nanorod arrays (ZNRAs) were prepared on stainless steel meshes via a two-step electrodeposition method. • The performance of hierarchical ZNRAs can be improved through modulating the condition of first-step electrodeposition. • The DSSC assembled with hierarchical ZNRAs obtained an optimal power conversion efficiency of 1.81 %. Hierarchical zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorod arrays (ZNRAs) were fabricated on stainless steel meshes via a two-step electrodeposition approach as flexible dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) photoanodes. The two-step electrodeposition was realized by deposition of primary ZNRAs followed by growth of secondary branched ZnO nanorods on the primary ZnO nanorods surfaces. The morphologies of ZNRAs and the photovoltaic performances of the assembled DSSCs with different deposition conditions of primary ZNRAs were compared in detail. After modulating electrodeposition conditions, the DSSC assembled with hierarchical ZNRAs obtained an optimum photovoltaic performance with power conversion efficiency of 1.81 %. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]