Template free synthesis of CdSnO3 micro-cuboids for dye sensitized solar cells

Mesoporous transparent conducting oxide, CdSnO3 has been synthesized using ultrasonication assisted co-precipitation method. Rather employing any template or structure directing agent, the co-precipitation effect of sodium hydroxide and citric acid were able to form cuboid shaped CdSnO3 during the sonochemical treatment as investigated by a systematic X-ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscopy studies. An optimum 3:1 molar concentration of NaOH and citric acid leads to form cuboidal structure of CdSnO3 on calcined at 700 °C. Further calcination at 800 °C converted cuboids to nanoparticles. Comparative studies have been carried out between the cuboid and particle morphology to understand the physico-chemical properties related to the morphology using various characterization techniques. Further, the CTO cuboids and the decomposed nanoparticles have been tested as photoanode for dye sensitized solar cell applications. The cuboid based photoanode exhibited an enhanced efficiency of 3.23% with a VOC of 0.72 V than its decomposed nanoparticle which exhibited a lower efficiency of 2.67%. The electrochemical impedance and incident photon to electron conversion efficiency results also support enhanced performance of cuboid based device than particle. The overall results show the advantage of cuboidal CdSnO3 in rapid electron injection and higher light reflection leading to improved current density of the DSSC device than the decomposed nanoparticle form. The results establish the application of less explored CdSnO3 as a photoanode in DSSCs application.