Modeling the Structure of an Oxide Solar Cell

• Published in: Journal of communications technology & electronics 2022-12, Vol.67 (Suppl 1), p.S108-S114
• Main Authors: Saenko, A. V., Klimin, V. S., Rozhko, A. A., Malyukov, S. P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Circuits; Communications Engineering; Copper oxides; Efficiency; Energy conversion efficiency; Engineering; Heterojunctions; Heterostructures; Mathematical models; Networks; Numerical analysis; Open circuit voltage; Optimization; Photoelectricity; Photovoltaic cells; Physical Processes in Electron Devices; Short circuit currents; Simulation methods; Solar cells; Thickness; Titanium dioxide; Work functions
• ISSN: 1064-2269; 1555-6557
• DOI: 10.1134/S1064226922130204

The article discusses numerical simulation of an oxide solar cell based on a Cu 2 O/TiO 2 p – n heterojunction that was carried out to optimize its structure and increase the efficiency of energy conversion. The influence of layer thicknesses, concentrations of acceptors and donors in Cu 2 O and TiO 2 layers, as well as the work function of the back contact material on the photoelectric parameters of the solar cell is studied. It was found that the optimal thickness of Cu 2 O and TiO 2 layers is 1.5 µm and 100 nm, respectively. It is shown that to obtain a high efficiency of a solar cell, the concentration of acceptors in the Cu 2 O layer should be 10 16 cm –3 , and the concentration of donors in the TiO 2 layer should be 10 19 cm –3 . It has been found that the work function of the back contact material must be at least 4.9–5 eV in order to achieve high efficiency values. The most suitable contact materials for Cu 2 O are Ni, C and Cu. For a solar cell based on a Cu 2 O/TiO 2 p – n heterojunction, a maximum efficiency of 10.21% was obtained (short circuit current density 9.89 mA/cm 2 , open circuit voltage 1.38 V, fill factor 74.81%). The results can be used in the development and formation of heterostructures of inexpensive oxide solar cells.