Alkali metals doped Cu0.95X0.05O (X = Li, Na and K) nanoparticles: Facile synthesis, structural, optical properties and solar cell application

• Published in: Materials letters 2020-09, Vol.275, p.128090, Article 128090
• Main Authors: Siddiqui, Hafsa, Qureshi, M.S., Haque, Fozia Z.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alkali metal-doped; Alkali metals; Copper oxides; Donor materials; Energy conversion efficiency; Lithium; Materials science; Nanoparticles; Optical materials; Optical properties; Optoelectronic; Optoelectronics; Photoelectrons; Photovoltaic cells; Solar cell; Solar cells; Spectrum analysis; Synthesis; X ray photoelectron spectroscopy
• ISSN: 0167-577X; 1873-4979
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matlet.2020.128090

[Display omitted] •The synthesis method is simplistic, low cost effective, and suitable for mass production.•The crystallography confirms the substitution of Cu2+without destroying crystal structures.•The pristine and alkali metal doped CuO nanoparticles are incorporated into the active layer.•Twofold enhancement is found for cells containing sodium doped CuO nanoparticles. The present work deals with the synthesis of alkali metals doped Cu0.95X0.05O (where X = Li, Na, and K) nanoparticles and their utilization as an additional donor material in organic solar cells. The effective substitution of X+ into CuO lattice is analyzed by physical characterizations i.e. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM),X-ray diffraction(XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV–vis spectroscopy. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) in the case of Cu0.95Li0.05O (3.19%), Cu0.95Na0.05O (3.84%), and Cu0.95K0.05O (3.46%) is appreciable than pristine CuO nanoparticles ~3.0% with 9.22 mA/cm2 current density and 55% fill factor. The PCE's are corroborating with structural and optical analysis. With the achievement of PCE of 3.84%, the present work is worth significant for solar cell devices and can be served as a donor material in other optoelectronic applications.