Influence of cobalt doping on structural and optical properties of copper oxide expected as an inorganic hole transport layer for perovskite solar cell

• Published in: Journal of materials science. Materials in electronics 2024, Vol.35 (2), p.139, Article 139
• Main Authors: Abdulmalek, Noor M., Jawad, Hussein A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Cobalt; Copper; Copper oxides; Crystal structure; Doping; Emittance; Energy bands; Energy gap; Energy value; Materials Science; Morphology; Nanoparticles; Optical and Electronic Materials; Optical properties; Perovskites; Photovoltaic cells; Solar cells; Spectroscopy; Spectrum analysis; Transition metals
• ISSN: 0957-4522; 1573-482X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10854-024-11932-x

Optimal band gap structure, high light absorbance, and low thermal emittance offer a wide range of potential uses because of the distinctive electrical and optical characteristics of copper oxide. Doping with transition metals such as cobalt could affect and enhance those characteristics. In this work, undoped copper oxide (CuO) and cobalt-doped copper oxide (Co–CuO) nanoparticles were fabricated by the microwave combustion method as an inorganic hole transport layer in Perovskite Solar Cell. Different doping ratios of cobalt doping were used. XRD analysis revealed that the CuO had a monoclinic crystal structure. The effect of metal doping on the energy band gap’s width was investigated by UV–VIS spectroscopy. Band gap energy values were decreased with cobalt doping from 1.6 eV for undoped CuO to 1.1 eV for 1% Co–CuO as results showed. The stretching vibration peaks at 520 cm −1 , 1020 cm −1 of Cu–O were confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy. FESEM images showed the impact of cobalt doping on changes in the morphology of Co-doped CuO nanoparticles. EDX results revealed that the Cu atoms have been successfully replaced by Co atoms. It was concluded that the crystal structure was affected by 2% cobalt doping. The lowest value of band gap energy was obtained by 1% cobalt doping. At 2.5% cobalt concentration, morphology was significantly affected as showed by FESEM images, which revealed slightly agglomerated particles with almost homogenous particle sizes in the 20–40 nm range. Copper atoms have been successfully replaced by cobalt atoms as presented by EDX analysis.