Correlation of Physical Features and the Photovoltaic Performance of P3HT:PCBM Solar Cells by Cu-Doped SnS Nanoparticles

Abstract

In this research work, un- and copper (Cu)-doped tin sulfide (SnS) nanoparticles (NPs) with various Cu concentrations were synthesized by the ultrasonic method and added to the active layer of polymer solar cells with the ITO/PEDOT:PSS/P3HT:PCBM/Ag–Al configuration. The structural, optical, and electrical properties related to the effect of these NPs on cell performance were investigated. X-ray diffraction of these NPs indicates the formation of orthorhombic polycrystalline SnS. The field emission scanning electron microscopy image showed that the un- and Cu-doped SnS NPs were spherical particles with a size less than 100 nm. Optical analysis of the cells shows that the optical energy band gap decreases due to the presence of NPs. The electrical properties of the samples, such as diode coefficient (n), reverse saturation current, turn-on potential (V t), and mobility (μ), were measured using the J–V curve at the dark condition. Electrical characterization of the samples showed that the performance of the cells was improved by adding SnS NPs to the active layer.

Advances in Smart Photovoltaic Textiles

“…Additionally, the choice of materials for charge transport layers and active materials is crucial and warrants further research for improvement. One example is the utilization of composite materials such as P3HT in combination with other materials like PCBM, − among others. Developing SCs on a rough surface such as textile can lead to the degradation of the deposited layers, resulting in cracks and void defects.…”

Synthesis and characterization of nano crystallite plaster of Paris prepared from waste eggshells and exploration of cytotoxicity, hemolysis and antimicrobial properties

“…A modified Scherrer model is also applicable to measure the crystallite size precisely, which is also based on the Scherrer model and mathematically this model can be presented as eqn ( 16) if the crystallite size is denoted as D MÀS . 36,37 When a straight line was built as presented in Fig. 4, the calculated crystallite size was 46 nm.…”

“…A Williamson-Hall plot, also known as a strain-induced model, was constructed by considering the instrumental broadening, intrinsic strain broadening and size broadening. The Williamson-Hall model can be represented as eqn ( 17) 36 where D WÀH and e are the crystallite size and intrinsic strain, respectively. A straight line was formed as presented in Fig.…”

Effect of copper doping on plasmonic nanofilms for high performance photovoltaic energy applications

“…Cu-doped SnS thin films underwent a thorough analysis to uncover their material composition and structural properties, essential for their application in photovoltaics, particularly in thin film solar cell devices. 36 The analysis began with the use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with an EDAX Genesis EDS system. This combination of techniques allowed for a comprehensive examination of the material composition of the thin films.…”