Exploring low temperature ZnO nanowires in display and solar cell applications

Applying ZnO nanowires for e-paper, field emission display and dye-sensitized solar cell is reported. Firstly, we report an electrochromic (EC) e-paper using a viologen-modified ZnO nanowire array as the EC electrode. The ZnO nanowire array was grown directly on an indium tin oxide (ITO) glass by a low temperature aqueous thermal decomposition method and then modified with viologen molecules. The ZnO nanowire electrochromic device shows fast switching time, high coloration efficiency and good stability. Secondly, we reported a triode configuration FE based on ZnO nanotetrapod and MgO nanoparticle paste. The emission is based on a surface conduction mechanism. The device has an efficiency of close to 100%. Lastly, we report a ZnO nanoflower/nanowire based dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). Using commercial available dye (N719), we obtained an efficiency of 1.9%. We further applied this low temperature ZnO nanowire on flexible substrate to realize a flexible DSSC. Based on our research, ZnO nanostructure has great potential in the area of displays and solar cells.