Preparation of Thin Film CuSnO3 by Dip Coating Method: Structural, Optical, and Electrical Properties for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Applications

Hary Sanjaya (Department of Chemistry, Universitas Negeri Padang)
Hermansyah Aziz (Departement of Chemistry, Andalas University)
Yeni Stiadi (Departement of Chemistry, Andalas University)
Syukri Arief (Departement of Chemistry, Andalas University)
Yohandri Yohandri (Department of Physic, Universitas Negeri Padang)
Septian Budiman (Interdisciplinary Program of Nanoscience and Technology, College of Interdisciplinary and Integrative Studies, Chulalongkorn University)

VALENSI
Jurnal Kimia VALENSI, Volume 12, No. 1, May 2026

This study addresses the critical need for cost-effective, earth-abundant alternatives to Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) by developing transparent and conductive Copper Stannate (CuSnO₃) thin films via sol-gel dip-coating. Using diethanolamine (DEA) and monoethanolamine (MEA) as chelating agents to enhance film stability and uniformity, the synthesized films were calcined at 550 °C, yielding predominantly amorphous structures that minimize grain boundary recombination. Characterization revealed crack-free morphologies with a thickness of approximately 1.88 μm, while optical analysis showed band gap energies ranging from 2.16 eV (DEA) to 2.31 eV (MEA), suitable for visible-light absorption. Electrical measurements indicated significant improvements in conductivity, with MEA-modified films achieving 173.58 S/m and DEA-modified films reaching 3600 S/m.When used as photoelectrodes in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs) with natural sensitizers, the films demonstrated successful photovoltaic performance, with Quercetin yielding the highest power conversion efficiency of 0.26%, thereby validating solution-processed amorphous CuSnO₃ as a viable, low-cost material for scalable optoelectronic applications.