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Improving FTO/ZnO/In2S3/CuInS2/Mo solar cell efficiency by optimizing thickness and carrier concentrations of ZnO, In2S3 and CuInS2 thin films using Silvaco-Atlas Software Agoundedemba, Maklewa; Baneto, Mazabalo; Nyenge, Raphael; Musila, Nicholas; Toure, Kicoun Jean-Yves N'Zi
International Journal of Renewable Energy Development Vol 12, No 6 (2023): November 2023
Publisher : Center of Biomass & Renewable Energy, Diponegoro University

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.14710/ijred.2023.57800

Abstract

Optimization of optical and electrical properties of active semiconducting layers is required to enhance thin film solar cells' efficiency and consequently became the cornerstone for sustainable energy production. Computational studies are one of the ways forward to optimize solar cells’ characteristics. In this study, Silvaco-Atlas, a powerful software that excels in both 2D and 3D electrical simulations of semiconductors has been used for the simulation in order to investigate the solar cell properties. The architecture of the solar cell simulated was FTO/ZnO/In2S3/CuInS2/Mo. This study aims to optimize solar cell efficiency by optimizing film thicknesses and carrier concentrations via simulation. The designed solar cell was exposed to the presence of a sun spectrum of AM1.5 from a 1kW/m2 incident power density at 300K. The thickness values of the window (ZnO), absorber (CuInS2) and buffer (In2S3) layers were varied to record a solar cell's optimum thickness. The resulting FTO/ZnO/In2S3/CuInS2/Mo solar cell formed by simulation is presented. The best efficiency and fill factor of the solar cell simulated were found to be 41.67% and 89.19%, respectively. The recorded values of current density and the open circuit voltage of the cell were 40.33mA/cm2 and 1.15 V, respectively. Additionally, the maximum power of the simulated solar cell device was 41.68 mW. Optimization results revealed that the most efficient cell found was made up of a window layer with a thickness of 0.03μm, an absorber layer with a thickness of 6.0μm and a buffer layer with a thickness of 0.2μm. The optimized carrier concentration of ZnO, In2S3 and CuInS2 was respectively 1e21 cm-3, 1e20 cm-3, 3e18 cm-3 and the optimized Al-doped ZnO value was 1e25 cm-3. The Absorption spectra indicated that the solar cell's peak absorption occurs between 350 nm and 1250 nm and presented a good external quantum efficiency (EQE) of around 84.52% to 92.83% which indicates good efficiency in the visible domain. This performance is attributed to the transparency of FTO, ZnO and good absorption of In2S3 and CuInS2 thin films.
Simultaneous effect of precursor sources and concentration on structural, morphological and optical properties of ZnO nanostructured thin films for photovoltaic applications Ako, Ognanmi; Baneto, Mazabalo; Senthilkumar, Muthusamy; Haris, Muthiah; Gboglo, Alphonse Déssoudji; Gadedjisso-Tossou, Komlan Segbéya; Ahyi, Ayayi Claude; Beltako, Katawoura; Amou, Komi Apélété
International Journal of Renewable Energy Development Vol 14, No 3 (2025): May 2025
Publisher : Center of Biomass & Renewable Energy (CBIORE)

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.61435/ijred.2025.61069

Abstract

The collection and transport of charges at the electrodes are the main factors limiting the efficiency of organic solar cells. Zinc oxide (ZnO) in nanostructured form helps to overcome this problem by introducing a ZnO buffer layer between the photoanode and the donor material. To achieve this, the ZnO thin film must exhibit good crystallinity, along with good electrical conductivity and high optical transparency in the visible range. The aim of this work is to investigate the effect of precursor sources and precursor concentrations on the structural, morphological, and optical properties of ZnO thin films. Three different precursor sources have been used: zinc acetate, zinc chloride and zinc nitrate. In each deposition solution, the precursor concentration varied from 0.1 M to 0.3 M.  The ZnO films were deposited on glass substrates and all the films were annealed at 400°C for 3 hours. The structural, morphological and optical properties of deposited films were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and UV-visible spectroscopy respectively. XRD results showed that, regardless of the precursor source, all the ZnO films are polycrystalline with a hexagonal wurtzite structure. ZnO films obtained from acetate and nitrate sources crystallize preferentially along (002) and the peak intensity increases as the precursor concentration increases. SEM images showed that all the ZnO films are homogeneous, but films deposited from zinc acetate and zinc nitrate looked more compact and smoother than those obtained with zinc chloride which looked porous. UV-visible spectroscopy results revealed that the films transmittance depends both on precursor source and concentration. ZnO thin films deposited from zinc acetate at 0.3M concentration exhibit the best transmittance of 95% due to their smooth and uniform surfaces. The band gap of ZnO obtained from the zinc acetate precursor decreases with increasing solution concentration. It is found to be 3.29 eV, 3.26 eV, and 3.22 eV for concentrations of 0.1 M, 0.2 M, and 0.3 M, respectively. It therefore appears that ZnO films obtained from zinc acetate can be used as an electron transport layer for solar cells as they exhibit the best crystallinity and the highest transmittance.
Structural, morphological and optical properties of ZnO thin films grown by time-dependent chemical bath deposition Gboglo, Alphonse Déssoudji; Baneto, Mazabalo; Ako, Ognanmi; Gadedjisso-Tossou, Komlan Segbéya; Grandidier, Bruno; Haris, Muthiah; Senthilkumar, Muthuswamy; N’Konou, Kekeli
International Journal of Renewable Energy Development Vol 15, No 1 (2026): January 2026
Publisher : Center of Biomass & Renewable Energy (CBIORE)

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.61435/ijred.2026.61665

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of deposition time on the structural, morphological, and optical properties of ZnO thin films synthesized by single-step chemical bath deposition (CBD) without the use of a seed layer. The films were systematically characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and UV-Visible spectroscopy in order to establish correlations between growth conditions and film properties. XRD analysis confirmed that all synthesized films are polycrystalline and crystallize in the hexagonal wurtzite structure, with average lattice parameters of a = 3.247 Å and c = 5.209 Å. The crystallite size increased slightly from 13.27 nm to 14.05 nm with increasing deposition time, indicating improved structural ordering and crystallinity. FTIR spectra verified the presence of characteristic Zn–O vibrational modes together with surface hydroxyl groups and other functional bonds related to the growth process. SEM images revealed a strong dependence of surface morphology on deposition time: ZnO microrods evolved from loosely distributed to more compact and densely packed assemblies as the deposition progressed, confirming enhanced film coverage. Optical measurements highlighted significant modifications in the transparency and band structure of the films. The average optical transmittance in the visible range decreased progressively from 68% to 52% when deposition time was extended from 30 to 120 minutes, reflecting increased film density. Concurrently, the optical band gap narrowed from 3.27 eV to 3.22 eV. These findings demonstrate that single-step CBD provides a reliable and controllable route for synthesizing ZnO thin films with tunable physical properties.