Device Modelling and Optimization of Nanomaterial-Based Planar Heterojunction Solar Cell (by Varying the Device Dimensions and Material Parameters)

Abstract

The objective of this work is to model a multi-disciplinary (multi-physics) organic photovoltaic (OPV) using mathematical modeling and analyzing the behavior of a standard planar heterojunction (PHJ) or bi-layer thin-film photovoltaic device, supporting the optimization of an efficient device for future production and assisting in evaluating and choosing the materials required for the efficient device. In order to increase photodiode performance, the device structure and geometrical properties have also been optimized and evaluated. In this work, the effects of varying the device size and transport parameters on the performance parameters of a PHJ OPV structure comprised of Indium Tin Oxide as the anode (ITO), semiconducting single-wall carbon nanotube (s-SWCNT) as the donor, fullerene C70 as the acceptor, and Aluminium (Al) as the cathode have been analyzed. The conclusion suggests that a highly effective ITO/s-SWCNT/C70/Al PHJ solar cell may be fabricated if the suggested device is appropriately built with a thin layer and a high exciton diffusion length, bi-molecular recombination coefficient, and improved mobility charge carriers, in particular hole mobility in the cell’s donor layer. In addition, the displayed current–voltage (I–V) characteristics of the proposed PHJ device are clearly indicated, with the ITO/s-SWCNT/C70/Al combination having the greatest short-circuit current density (Jsc) value of 5.61 mA/cm2, open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.7 V, fill factor (FF) of 79% and efficiency (ɳ) of 3.1%. Results show that the electrical performance of organic solar cells is sensitive to the thickness of the photoactive substance. These results open the path for developing inexpensive and highly efficient solar cells.