TiO2/CuO/Cu2O Photovoltaic Nanostructures Prepared by DC Reactive Magnetron Sputtering
Grzegorz Wisz1, Paulina Sawicka-Chudy1, Maciej Sibiński2
1Institute of Materials Engineering, College of Natural Science, University of Rzeszow, 1 Pigonia Street, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland.
Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland)
|April 23, 2022
Summary
This study details the creation of titanium dioxide/copper oxide thin-film solar cells, analyzing how copper contact layer deposition time affects their performance. The research confirms photovoltaic behavior and reports key electrical properties for future solar cell development.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Renewable Energy
- Solid-State Physics
Background:
- Thin-film solar cells offer a promising avenue for renewable energy generation.
- Titanium dioxide (TiO2) and copper oxides (CuO, Cu2O) are potential materials for low-cost photovoltaic devices.
- Optimizing fabrication processes is crucial for enhancing the efficiency of these solar cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of copper contact layer deposition time on the structural and electrical properties of TiO2/CuO/Cu2O thin-film solar cells.
- To characterize the material phases, morphology, and electrical performance of the fabricated photovoltaic devices.
- To provide insights into the relationship between fabrication parameters and device characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of TiO2/CuO/Cu2O thin-film solar cells using reactive direct-current magnetron sputtering.
- Structural and morphological analysis via X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
- Electrical property evaluation using current-voltage (I-V) characteristics and van der Pauw measurements.
Main Results:
- Successful preparation of TiO2/CuO/Cu2O solar cells with observed cubic (Cu2O), monoclinic (CuO), and Ti3O5 phases.
- Morphological analysis revealed layer thicknesses in the range of 43-55 nm (TiO2) and 806-1223 nm (CuO).
- Photovoltaic behavior was confirmed, with reported short-circuit current densities (Jsc) and open-circuit voltages (Voc) for two structures.
Conclusions:
- The deposition time of the top Cu contact layer significantly influences the properties of TiO2/CuO/Cu2O thin-film solar cells.
- The study provides a comprehensive characterization of the structural, morphological, and electrical properties of these solar cells.
- The reported electrical parameters (resistivity, carrier concentration, mobility) align with existing literature, supporting the potential of these materials for solar applications.
