Fabrication of Affordable and Sustainable Solar Cells Using NiO/TiO₂ P-N Heterojunction

Abstract

The need for affordable, clean, efficient, and sustainable solar cells informed this study. Metal oxide TiO2/NiO heterojunction solar cells were fabricated using the spray pyrolysis technique. The optoelectronic properties of the heterojunction were determined. The fabricated solar cells exhibit a short-circuit current of 16.8 mA, open-circuit voltage of 350 mV, fill factor of 0.39, and conversion efficiency of 2.30% under 100 mW/cm2 illumination. This study will help advance the course for the development of low-cost, environmentally friendly, and sustainable solar cell materials from metal oxides.

Effect of graphite filler on the physiochemical properties of graphite reinforced thermoset rooflite – unsaturated polyester resin composites

“…The fractured surface images of composite designated as C-2 (a, b and c) containing 1% weight of graphite reveal that the smoothness of the pure resin surface is lost, being replaced by ripple texture and asymmetry. However, it is clear that the graphite filler is completely penetrated at the hetero junctions when the filler concentration is comparatively low [34]. The SEM images of composites C-3 and C-4 containing 3 and 5 wt.% of graphite displayed a rough surface structure, which is due to the modification in the microcracks with almost randomly distributed vascularized cavities.…”

All-Inorganic p−n Heterojunction Solar Cells by Solution Combustion Synthesis Using N-type FeMnO3 Perovskite Photoactive Layer

“…NiO demonstrates a rock salt structure and exhibits adequate p-type conductivity with a wide bandgap in the range of 3.5 eV ( Chrissanthopoulos et al, 2011 ; Mahmood et al, 2011 ; Zhang, 2015 ). NiO has been reported as p-type material in all-oxide solar cells in combination with the n-type TiO 2 and ZnO materials, while also solution combustion synthesized NiOx is commonly used as HTL in perovskite solar cells ( Warasawa et al, 2013 ; Kawade et al, 2015 ; Kerli and Alver, 2016 ; Karsthof et al, 2016 ; Galatopoulos et al, 2017 ; Patel, 2017 ; Ukoba et al, 2018 ).…”

Fabrication of p-NiO/n-TiO2 Solar Device for Photovoltaic Application

“…This has made researchers tune the conductivity and energy level of NiO to allow usage in solar cell fabrication, including usage for hole transport and window layer. Although the bandgap of NiO is high compared to silicon and ZnO, there has been the usage of NiO for hole transport and as a window layer [15][16][17]. The bandgap of about 3.5 eV to 4.0 eV and suitability of NiO as a p-type solar cells material has endeared it [18].…”

“…NiO p-type helped in obtaining improved solar efficiency [25]. Ukoba et al [15] obtained an efficiency of 2.30 using the spray pyrolysis method.…”

“…These methods were used because of the simplicity and low cost of the deposition method. Spray pyrolysis was earlier used for depositing both layers [15]. However, this study decided to use a spin coating to deposit the NiO as it was used for obtaining improved efficiency in the highest efficiency obtained for perovskite by Oxford.…”