Study of the Interaction Between Optical Materials and Solar Energy Cells to Enhance Energy Conversion Efficiency

In light of the increasing demand for clean and sustainable energy, solar cells have become one of the most promising solutions to meet global energy needs. However, the primary challenge lies in improving the efficiency of these cells to ensure the maximum conversion of solar energy into electrical energy. Optical materials emerge as a key factor in this context, possessing the ability to enhance light absorption and reduce loss due to reflection.This research aims to study the interaction between optical materials and solar energy cells to understand how efficiency can be enhanced and significant progress achieved in energy conversion technology. By focusing on the unique properties of these materials and their integration into cell design, the study seeks to fabricate a dye-sensitized solar cell using ZnO semiconductors as photoanodes, a conductive electrode (cathode), and an electrolyte solution of (I2/KI). The ZnO semiconductors include ZnO nanoparticles (coated on glass). The conductive electrodes involve carbon also placed on glass. The dye used: Azo dye. The dye was characterized by infrared spectroscopy, with the azo group absorption observed around 1550 cm⁻¹ and the C=N group absorption around 1630 cm⁻¹. The dye's absorption spectrum was also characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, which indicated that it absorbs light at 620 nm. Electrical measurements were carried out on the fabricated cell only.