Effect of ZnO and PEDOT:PSS charge selective layers on photovoltage of cuprous oxide (Cu2O) heterojunction solar cells

Li, Jiajun; Mendoza, Hervin T.; Kundmann, Anna; Osterloh, Frank E.

doi:10.1039/d4se00416g

Title: Effect of ZnO and PEDOT:PSS charge selective layers on photovoltage of cuprous oxide (Cu₂O) heterojunction solar cells

Journal Article · 07 May 2024 · Sustainable Energy & Fuels

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/d4se00416g · OSTI ID:2478983

Li, Jiajun ^[1];

^[2];

^[2]

University of California, Davis, CA (United States); University of California Davis
University of California, Davis, CA (United States)

Electrochemical deposition (ECD) of Cu₂O provides a scalable and low temperature pathway to solar cells with a theoretical high energy conversion efficiency of 23%, based on the 2.0–2.2 eV band gap of Cu₂O. However, existing ECD-Cu₂O devices are plagued by poor crystallinity and low selectivity of the electron and hole transport layers. Here we use Vibrating Kelvin Probe Surface Photovoltage Spectroscopy (VKP-SPV) to probe the charge transfer selectivity in FTO/ZnO/Cu₂O/PEDOT:PSS/Ni heterojunction solar cells. Selective electron extraction is achieved at the ZnO back contact to Cu₂O, as confirmed by a negative surface photovoltage signal. While the uncoated Cu₂O surface is electron-selective due to the formation of a hole depletion layer, spin coating of a PEDOT:PSS film turns it into a hole-selective interface. After adding nickel metal ink top electrodes, functional 1.0 cm² solar cells with power conversion efficiency (PCE) of up to 0.07%, 195 mV open-circuit voltage, and 1.28 mA cm^–2 short-circuit photocurrent are achieved. The photovoltaic performance is higher for aluminum doped zinc oxide (AZO) substrates than for fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) due to the presence of a n-/p-junction that further increases the electron selectivity of the AZO/ZnO/Cu₂O contacts. Overall, this work demonstrates the first application of PEDOT:PSS as a hole transport layer (HTL) for Cu₂O and the use of VKP-SPV to measure the photovoltage contributions of the Cu₂O interfaces. Furthermore, the ability to fabricate Cu₂O solar cells at near room temperature without the use of vacuum methods or rare elements is an important step towards a scalable Cu₂O PV technology.

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Research Organization:: University of California, Davis, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)

Grant/Contract Number:: SC0015329

OSTI ID:: 2478983

Journal Information:: Sustainable Energy & Fuels, Journal Name: Sustainable Energy & Fuels Journal Issue: 11 Vol. 8; ISSN 2398-4902

Publisher:: Royal Society of ChemistryCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Title: Effect of ZnO and PEDOT:PSS charge selective layers on photovoltage of cuprous oxide (Cu₂O) heterojunction solar cells