Photosensitization of ZnS nanoparticles with metal-free dye sensitizer based on Thiazole and Isatin derivatives for solid state dye sensitized solar cell

Simple item page
dc.contributor.advisorUahengo, Veikko
dc.contributor.authorEnkali, Ndapewa Linda
dc.date.accessioned2026-03-25T13:26:08Z
dc.date.available2026-03-25T13:26:08Z
dc.date.issued2025
dc.descriptionA thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of masters of science in Chemistry
dc.description.abstractZinc Sulphide (ZnS) is one of the wide band gap (Wurtzile; 3.91eV and Spalerite; 3.54eV) semiconductors suitable for application in dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSCs). However, ZnS absorb UV light which only contribute about 5% total energy of solar radiation. By sensitizing ZnS photo anode with dye sensitizer in DSSC, light absorption is extended to visible regions (which contribute 43% total energy) of solar radiation spectrum. Despite this, discovering the best photo anode materials (sensitizer and semiconductor) remains a challenge in DSSCs. In this work, an experimental study on the photosensitization of ZnS nanoparticles with five different metal-free dyes was carried out. The ZnS nanoparticles and five different Thiazole and Isatin based metal-free dyes were synthesized and characterized. Grafted ZnS-dye samples were fabricated and characterized and the effect of solvatochromism on dyes on ZnS were investigated. All data were collected from X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1HNMR), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and analyzed Ultraviolet and Visible light (UV-vis) spectroscopy. XRD confirms that the crystal structure of the ZnS nanoparticles and the chemical structures of dyes and their vibration frequencies were confirmed by 1HNMR and FTIR, respectively. Among the five dyes, Dye1, Dye2 and Dye5 showed best photo response before and after grafted on ZnS nanoparticles. Broad peaks and high absorption intensities were observed on these dyes. Little or no absorption were observed for Dye3 and Dye4 before and after grafted on ZnS nanoparticles
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11070/4240
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherUniversity of Namibia
dc.subjectPhotosensitization
dc.subjectNanoparticles
dc.subjectSolvatochromism
dc.subjectGrafting
dc.subjectCharacterization
dc.subjectMetal-free dyes
dc.subjectNamibia
dc.subjectUniversity of Namibia
dc.titlePhotosensitization of ZnS nanoparticles with metal-free dye sensitizer based on Thiazole and Isatin derivatives for solid state dye sensitized solar cell
dc.typeThesis
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
Enkali_2025.pdf
Size:
2.03 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Download
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.62 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description:
Download
Collections
Masters Degrees (DPCMS)