SIMULATION STUDIES OF CR DOPED CUO HETEROJUNCTION SOLAR CELL

Abstract

1% and 3% Cr doped CuO thin films have been deposited on soda lime glass by spin coating method and then their structural, morphological and optical properties have been investigated by operating X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Ultraviolet-Visible Spectroscopy (UV-Vis) techniques, respectively. XRD patterns of CuO:Cr (1%) and CuO:Cr (3%) thin films demonstrate characteristics of monoclinic CuO structure with a C2/c space group. The morphology of coated film plays an important role in analyzing some optoelectronic properties. 1% Cr doped CuO thin film absorbs more photons compared to 3% Cr doped CuO in Vis and UV regions. The band gaps of 1% Cr and 3% Cr doped CuO thin films are to be 2.18 eV and 2.30 eV, respectively. The Mo/1% and 3% Cr doped CuO/n-ZnO/i-ZnO/AZO solar cell has modelled with SCAPS-1D simulation program. The photovoltaic (PV) parameters of solar cell deteriorated with some increase in the neutral defect density (N_t) value. As the shallow acceptor defect density (N_a) value is increased, J_SC is decreased, V_OC, FF and η are increased. PV performance of 1% Cr doped CuO solar cell were found to be better than that of 3% Cr doped CuO solar cell. The efficiency of 1% Cr doped CuO solar cell is increased with the use of SnO2 intermediate layer in 2 nm thickness at the heterojunction interface.