Fabrication and Characterization of Eco-Friendly Thin Films as Potential Optical Absorbers for Efficient Multi-Functional Opto-(Electronic) and Solar Cell Applications

Abstract

The necessity for reliable and efficient multifunctional optical and optoelectronic devices is always calling for the exploration of new fertile materials for this purpose. This study leverages the exploitation of dyed environmentally friendly biopolymeric thin films as a potential optical absorber in the development of multifunctional opto-(electronic) and solar cell applications. Uniform, stable thin films of dyed chitosan were prepared using a spin-coating approach. The molecular interactivity between the chitosan matrix and all the additive organic dyes was evaluated using FTIR measurements. The color variations were assessed using chromaticity (CIE) measurements. The optical properties of films were inspected using the measured UV-vis-NIR transmission and reflection spectra. The values of the energy gap and Urbach energy as well as the electronic parameters and nonlinear optical parameters of films were estimated. The prepared films were exploited for laser shielding as an attenuated laser cut-off material. In addition, the performance of the prepared thin films as an absorbing organic layer with silicon in an organic/inorganic heterojunction architecture for photosensing and solar energy conversion applicability was studied. The current-voltage relation under dark and illumination declared the suitability of this architecture in terms of responsivity and specific detectivity values for efficient light sensing applications. The suitability of such films for solar cell fabrications is due to some dyed films achieving open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current values, where Saf-dyed films achieved the highest Voc (302 mV) while MV-dyed films achieved the highest Jsc (0.005 mA/cm2). Finally, based on all the obtained characterization results, the engineered natural cost-effective dyed films are considered potential active materials for a wide range of optical and optoelectronic applications.

Analysis on current opto-electronic transmission research and its materials with new perspectives

“…One recent study of such materials was conducted by El-Newehy et al. This study used spin coating to fabricate dyed chitosan thin film and determined its suitability for photo-sensing through responsivity and specific detectivity values [2]. The main value of chitosan is that its optoelectrical property can be tuned via modulated dyeing process since some dyes have varied transmittance and reflectivity and are suitable for optical shielding or filtering.…”

“…The engineered film had a hybrid hetero-junction configuration (metal/insulator/semiconductor) and its high absorbance in UV and visible range was suitable for absorbance enhancer. Moreover, using Ag/Cs-MV/p-Si electrode and plasmonic nanoparticles could significantly increase the responsivity, detectivity, conductivity and light capturing efficiency of photoelectric sensors [2]. This was validated by measurements of Ag/Cs-MV/p-Si which had a density of interface trapping state of 3.56 × 10 −13 eV -1 cm -2 , photocurrent of 0.29 mA/cm 2 , responsivity of 3.05 mA/W, and detectivity of 5.79×10 8 D*.…”

“…This paper aims to present a general review of current hindrances and recent advancements in the field of optoelectronics, followed by a prospective vision of a near-future research focus. The first section is an overview of modern opto-electric transmission technologies, with the development of new materials, structures and theories in broadcasting, communication, detection and measurement [1][2][3][4][5].…”