Monitoring Structural Dynamics of In situ Spray-Deposited Zinc Oxide Films for Application in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

The spray‐deposition technique is an effective and scalable method to deposit zinc oxide nanostructures, which are used as active layers for dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) in the present study. The dynamics of structural evolution are studied with grazing incidence small‐angle X‐ray scattering during in situ spraying. Nanostructured films obtained through multiple spray shots provide suitable structural length scales, morphologies, and film thicknesses; this leads to reasonable performance in a DSSC with the highest short‐circuit current density reported so far. One layer at a time: Grazing incidence small‐angle X‐ray scattering measurements are performed to track the structural evolution and fast drying of an in situ spray‐deposited nanostructured zinc oxide film. Multiple spray coats provide a considerable film thickness for use as an active layer in a dye‐sensitized solar cell.