ZnO/P3HT nanocomposite photoanodes for photoelectrochemical applications

ZnO nanoparticle/poly(3-hexylthiophene) conducting polymer hybrid nanocomposite photoanode has been grown on FTO-coated glass substrates. ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were synthesised using sol–gel methods. Structural and optical properties of ZnO NPs studied using AFM, TEM and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The size of the ZnO nanoparticles varies from 10[Formula: see text]nm to 45[Formula: see text]nm. The photoelectrochemical properties of the P3HT film, ZnO nanoparticles and ZnO/P3HT nanocomposite photoanodes have been studied under dark and illumination of white light. The ZnO/P3HT hybrid photoanode shows photosensing properties with a high on-off ratio (∼90) at 0[Formula: see text]V. Open circuit photovoltage (OCPV) response and OCPV delay of ZnO/P3HT nanocomposite has been studied. The stability of ZnO nanoparticle-poly(3-hexylthiophene) nanocomposite as a photoanode has been investigated using 1[Formula: see text]Hz chopped light pulse.