Sustainable Fabrication of ZnO Nanostructures for Enhanced Photovoltaic Performance: Insights from SEM and XRD Analysis

¹ Centre of Research Impact and Outcome, Chitkara University, Rajpura - 140417, Punjab, India
² Chitkara Centre for Research and Development, Chitkara University, Himachal Pradesh - 174103 India
³ Department of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Engineering and Technology, GLA University, Mathura (U.P) - 281406
⁴ Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India,
⁵ Uttaranchal University, Dehradun - 248007, India
⁶ Department of Mechanical, GRIET, Bachupally, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
⁷ Department of Chemistry, Research & Incubation Centre, Rayat Bahra University Chandigarh-Ropar NH 205, Greater Mohali, Punjab, 140103, Indi
⁸ Department of Structurals Techniques engineering, College of technical engineering, The Islamic University of Al Diwaniyah, Al Diwaniyah, Iraq

Corresponding author: simranjeet.nanda.orp@chitkara.edu.in

Abstract

The study of sustainable ZnO nanostructure coatings for photovoltaic cells has advanced solar energy technologies. Hydrothermal and sol-gel methods were utilized to make ZnO nanorods, nanowires, nanoflowers, nanoplates, and nanotubes. These nanostructures have many shapes and crystalline arrangements. SEM revealed different shapes. The average length of nanorods, nanoflowers, nanoplates, and nanotubes is 150, 120, 200, and 160 nm, respectively. XRD verified crystal structures and dimensions. The 25–30 nanometer crystals have orientations of (002), (101), (103), (110), and (112). These nanoparticles greatly improved solar cell performance. Open circuit voltages were 0.65 V to 0.74 V, while short circuit currents were 11.3 mA to 13.5 mA. Power conversion efficiency ranged from 5.9% to 7.1%, while fill factors were 76% to 85%. A strong association exists between nanostructure morphology, structural properties, and cellular performance. This shows how these settings improve solar cell efficiency. These findings show that ecologically friendly ZnO nanoparticles have exciting potential. They point to efficient, ecologically friendly solar energy conversion methods. Research and development of customized nanoparticles may improve solar devices. This may provide eco-friendly and efficient solar energy systems.