Au coated amorphous indium zinc oxide (a-IZO) bilayer and its application as counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cell

Room temperature processed Au/a-IZO (amorphous indium zinc oxide) bilayers are synthesized and systematically studied. Unexpectedly high conductivity of 1.2 × 105 Scm−1 and mobility of 65.6 cm2V−1s−1 are achieved for Au/a-IZO bilayer samples prepared under specific conditions. The conduction mechanisms are analyzed. An optimum FOM (figure of merit) value of 40 Ω−1 is obtained, which is ∼3 times higher than that of an ITO film. The optimum Au/a-IZO bilayer sample is successfully applied as counter electrode of DSSC (dye sensitized solar cells).