Numerical investigation of octakis (4-methoxyphenyl) spiro [fluorene-9, 9′ xanthene]−2, 2′, 7, 7′-tetraamine) (X60) as hole transport layer in solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell

Abstract

Abstract In this work, we have presented a solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell (SSDSSC) using X60 (full name: octakis(4-methoxyphenyl)spiro[fluorene-9,9′ xanthene]−2,2′,7,7′-tetraamine) as a hole transport layer (HTL). The proposed structure consists of FTO/TiO2/N719 Dye/X60/Ni. The simulation is performed using Solar Cell Capacitance One-Dimensional software. Initial results showed an efficiency η of 7.411%, a fill factor FF of 81.598%, a short-circuit current density J SC of 6.333 mA cm−2, and an open-circuit voltage V OC of 1.433 V. Afterward, various parameters, such as X60, N719, TiO2 thicknesses; X60/N719 defect; temperature; and back contact materials, were investigated to determine their effect on the suggested structure. After optimization (thicknesses: 0.4/0.4/0.9/0.3 μm; defect density: 109 cm−2; temperature: 285 K; back contact material: Ni), an efficiency of 7.846% was achieved with a 1.443 V open-circuit voltage, 6.593 mA/cm2 short-circuit current density, and an 82.460% fill factor. Lastly, the findings reveal that employing X60 as the HTL for SSDSSC provides better performance compared to other HTLs (CuSCN, CuI, and P3HT). This study contributes to the development and production of SSDSSC.