Optical and photovoltaic properties of temperature-dependent synthesis of ZnO nanobelts, nanoplates, and nanorods

This study focused on the effect of different reaction temperature on the morphology of zinc oxide. The temperature plays a significant role for the growth along different planes and axis. We synthesized ZnO hydrothermally at different temperature (60, 100, 140, and 180 °C). The synthesized ZnO nanopowders were characterized by UV–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The absorption spectrum of ZnO nanoparticles was observed with excitonic peaks in the range 372 to 376 nm. The XRD patterns of the particles reveal the formation of hexagonal phase for ZnO with high degree of crystallinity. The FESEM images of ZnO powder shows the formation of nanobelts, nanoplates, and nanorods. As temperature was increased, the morphology of ZnO nanostructures changed from nanobelts to nanorods. The synthesized ZnO powders were successfully employed as electrode material in dye-sensitized solar cells to evaluate the photovoltaic performances of synthesized ZnO nanobelts, nanoplates, and nanorods.