Cu 2 O Heterojunction Solar Cell with Photovoltaic Properties Enhanced by a Ti Buffer Layer

Binghao Wang, Zhiqiang Chen and Feng Zhao ()
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Binghao Wang: Micro/Nanoelectronics and Energy Laboratory, School of Engineering and Computer Science, Washington State University, Vancouver, WA 98686, USA
Zhiqiang Chen: Center for Electron Microscopy and Nanofabrication, Portland State University, Portland, OR 97201, USA
Feng Zhao: Micro/Nanoelectronics and Energy Laboratory, School of Engineering and Computer Science, Washington State University, Vancouver, WA 98686, USA

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 14, 1-12

Abstract: In this study, semiconductor oxide cuprite (Cu 2 O) and indium tin oxide (ITO) heterojunction solar cells with and without a 10 nm thick titanium (Ti) thin film as the buffer layer were fabricated and characterized for comparison. The Cu 2 O film was formed by low-cost electrodeposition, and Ti and ITO layers were deposited on a glass substrate by sputtering. The interfacial microstructures, surface topology, and electrical and photovoltaic properties of both solar cells were investigated. The test results showed that the Ti buffer layer changed the surface morphology, resistivity, and contact potential of the electrodeposited Cu 2 O film. With these changes, the photovoltaic performances of the Cu 2 O/Ti/ITO solar cell including open-circuit voltage ( V OC ) and short-circuit current ( I SC ) were all enhanced compared to the Cu 2 O/ITO solar cell, and the power conversion efficiency was improved from 1.78% to 2.54%. This study offers a promising method to improve the efficiency of Cu 2 O-based solar cells for sustainability in material resource, environment and eco-system, and energy production.

Keywords: solar cell; Cu 2 O; photovoltaic property; buffer layer; electrodeposition (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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