Microstructures and photovoltaic properties of Zn(Al)O/Cu 2 O-based solar cells prepared by spin-coating and electrodeposition

Abstract

Copper oxide (Cu 2 O)-based heterojunction solar cells were fabricated by spin-coating and electrodeposition methods, and photovoltaic properties and microstructures were investigated. Zinc oxide (ZnO) and Cu 2 O were used as n- and p-type semiconductors, respectively, to fabricate photovoltaic devices based on In-doped tin oxide/ZnO/Cu 2 O/Au heterojunction structures. Short-circuit current and fill factor increased by aluminum (Al) doping in the ZnO layer, which resulted in the increase of the conversion efficiency. The efficiency was improved further by growing ZnO and Cu 2 O layers with larger crystallite sizes, and by optimizing the Al-doping by spin coating.