Heterojunction solar cell with 2% efficiency based on a Cu2O substrate

Abstract

We report on the fabrication of heterojunction solar cells made by deposition of transparent conducting oxide (TCO) films on Cu2O substrates. The TCO films have been grown by ion beam sputtering on good quality Cu2O sheets prepared by oxidizing copper at a high temperature. The best solar cell has reached an open-circuit voltage of 0.595V, a short-circuit current density of 6.78mA∕cm2, a fill factor of 50%, and a conversion efficiency of 2% under simulated AM1.5G illumination, which is the highest efficiency value reported for this kind of heterojunction devices. These devices represent a good starting point for the development of very low cost solar cells.

Insight into the catalyst/photocatalyst microstructure presenting the same composition but leading to a variance in bacterial reduction under indoor visible light

“…Subsequently, Cu-oxide reacts with O 2 (air) leading to the formation of CuO as shown Eq. In the sequential sputtered catalyst, the high absorption coefficient of Cu 2 O and the low diffusion length of the minority carrier was reported to lead to a low photo-efficiency in the Cu 2 O (p-type) semiconductor [66,67]. Since the photocatalytic mechanism of TiO 2 has been widely reviewed [1,18,28], we suggest hereby the mechanistic steps for the co-sputtered catalyst in agreement with reference [68] (Fig.…”

Grain size tuning of nanostructured Cu2O films through vapour phase supersaturation control and their characterization for practical applications

“…But the method for variation of supersaturation or the mechanism of nucleation of the nanoparticles and their aggregation to form finally the nanostructured films on the substrates have not been discussed. In the present study, we have synthesized nanostructured films of Cu 2 O, which is the oldest p-type semiconductor with high absorption coefficient in the visible range making it an attractive material for application as low cost solar cells, 24 of variable grain sizes and showing quasi mesoscopic characteristics through the oxidation of nanostructured Cu films deposited using vacuum thermal evaporation at relatively high pressures of an inert gas (nitrogen). Supersaturation of the inert gas in the deposition chamber with vapors of Cu resulted in the nucleation and growth of nanocrystals of Cu which deposited on the substrate as nanostructured Cu films.…”

Low temperature growth technique for nanocrystalline cuprous oxide thin films using microwave plasma oxidation of copper

“…There are several reports on the growth, characterization and applications of copper 2 oxides, however, the electrical characteristics of the copper oxide films are strongly influenced by the preparation methods [3]. There are numerous reports on the exploitation of Cu 2 O as an active layer for solar cells [4][5]. Even though it has a theoretical conversion efficiency of around 20 %, actual efficiencies reported so far are around 2% [6].…”