The nanostructured ZrO2/TiO2 samples were synthesized by hydrothermal method, sensitized with anthraquinone dyes and the photovoltaic property was studied. The photovoltaic cells were assembled and the short-circuit current of the devices was measured under continuous illumination at 100 mW/cm2 corresponding to the twice of the standard solar light intensity. The observed results of photocurrent and transmittance measurements as a function of wavelength show good performance in the presence of anthraquinone dyes. The synthesized materials were characterized using X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, UV-visible spectrophotometry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results reveal that the absorption of anthraquinone dyes in ZrO2/TiO2 combinations were found to be efficient to increase the short-circuit photocurrent and open-circuit voltage of the cell. An optimal power conversion efficiency of 3% was obtained in a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) containing the ZrO2/TiO2 film. The study concluded that the selected material combinations were promising for the enhancement of the conversion efficiency for the fabrication of high efficient, low cost and high stable DSSCs.
