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Wisz G, Sawicka-Chudy P, Sibiński M, Yavorskyi R, Łabuz M, Płoch D, Bester M. Formation and Characterization of Stable TiO 2/Cu xO-Based Solar Cells. Materials (Basel) 2023; 16:5683. [PMID: 37629974 PMCID: PMC10456714 DOI: 10.3390/ma16165683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Revised: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
According to increasing demand for energy, PV cells seem to be one of the best answers for human needs. Considering features such as availability, low production costs, high stability, etc., metal oxide semiconductors (MOS) are a focus of attention for many scientists. Amongst MOS, TiO2 and CuxO seem to be promising materials for obtaining an effective photoconversion effect. In this paper, specific investigation, aimed at the manufacturing of the complete photovoltaic structure based on this concept is described in detail. A set of samples manufactured by DC magnetron sputtering, with various process parameters, is characterized by morphology comparison, layer structure and material composition investigation, and finally by the obtained photovoltaic parameters. Based on SEM studies, it was established that the films are deposited uniformly and complete their formation; without clearly defined faces, the conglomerates of the film grow individually. These are areas with a uniform structure and orientation of atoms. The sizes of conglomerates are in a normal direction range from 20 to 530 nm and increase with film thickness. The film thickness was in the range from 318 to 1654 nm, respectively. The I-V study confirms the photovoltaic behavior of thin film solar cells. The open-circuit voltage (Voc) and short-circuit current density (Jsc) values of the photovoltaic devices ranged from 1.5 to 300 mV and from 0.45 to 7.26 µA/cm3, respectively, which corresponds to the maximum efficiency at the level of 0.01%. Specific analysis of the junction operation on the basis of characteristics flow, Rs, and Rsh values is delivered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grzegorz Wisz
- Institute of Materials Engineering, College of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszow, Pigonia 1, 35-310 Rzeszow, Poland;
| | - Paulina Sawicka-Chudy
- Institute of Materials Engineering, College of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszow, Pigonia 1, 35-310 Rzeszow, Poland;
| | - Maciej Sibiński
- Department of Material and Environmental Technology, Tallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate tee 5, 19086 Tallinn, Estonia;
- Department of Semiconductor and Optoelectronic Devices, Lodz University of Technology, Al. Politechniki 10, 93-590 Łódź, Poland
| | - Rostyslav Yavorskyi
- Department of Physics and Chemistry of Solid State, Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpation National University, T. Shevchenko Str. 57, 76-018 Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine;
| | - Mirosław Łabuz
- Institute of Physics, College of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszow, Pigonia 1, 35-310 Rzeszow, Poland; (M.Ł.); (M.B.)
| | - Dariusz Płoch
- Institute of Materials Engineering, College of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszow, Pigonia 1, 35-310 Rzeszow, Poland;
| | - Mariusz Bester
- Institute of Physics, College of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszow, Pigonia 1, 35-310 Rzeszow, Poland; (M.Ł.); (M.B.)
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Marchi C, Panzeri G, Pedrazzetti L, Khalil MI, Lucotti A, Parravicini J, Acciarri M, Binetti S, Magagnin L. One-step CZT electroplating from alkaline solution on flexible Mo foil for CZTS absorber. J Solid State Electrochem 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10008-021-04951-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
AbstractIn this work, Cu-Zn-Sn (CZT) is co-electrodeposited onto a flexible Mo substrate exploiting an alkaline bath (pH 10). The plating solution is studied by cyclic voltammetry, highlighting the effects of potassium pyrophosphate (K4P2O7) and EDTA-Na2 on the electrochemical behavior and stability of the metallic ionic species. The optimized synthesis results in a homogeneous precursor layer, with composition Cu 44 ± 2 at. %, Zn 28 ± 1 at. %, and Sn 28 ± 2 at. %. Soft and reactive annealing are employed respectively to promote intermetallic phase formation and sulfurization of the precursor to obtain CZTS. Microstructural (XRD, Raman), morphological (SEM), and compositional (EDX, XRF) characterization is carried out on CZT and CZTS films, showing a minor presence of secondary phases. Finally, photo-assisted water splitting tests are performed considering a CZTS/CdS/Pt photoelectrode, showing a photocurrent density of 1.01 mA cm−2 at 0 V vs. RHE under 1 sun illumination.
Graphical abstract
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