Controlling surface morphology of Ag-doped ZnO as a buffer layer by dispersion engineering in planar perovskite solar cells
Abstract In recent years, the power conversion efficiency (PCE (%)) of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has improved to over 26%. To enhance the photovoltaic properties of PSCs, several materials for the electron transport layer (ETL) have been investigated. Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a significant ETL due to...
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Nature Portfolio
2024-02-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-55379-w |
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| author | Ghazaleh Bagha Katayoon Samavati Homam Naffakh-Moosavy Laleh Farhang Matin |
| author_facet | Ghazaleh Bagha Katayoon Samavati Homam Naffakh-Moosavy Laleh Farhang Matin |
| author_sort | Ghazaleh Bagha |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract In recent years, the power conversion efficiency (PCE (%)) of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has improved to over 26%. To enhance the photovoltaic properties of PSCs, several materials for the electron transport layer (ETL) have been investigated. Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a significant ETL due to its high electron mobility and optical transparency in PSCs. As a result of various deposition methods, ZnO ETL can be processed at low temperatures. On the other hand, based on several studies, metal-doped ZnO can facilitate electron transfer, thereby improving the performance of un-doped ZnO ETL-based PSCs. Here, to improve the PCE (%) and long-term stability of un-doped ZnO ETL-PSCs, silver (Ag)-doped ZnO 1wt% as a buffer layer is examined. In this paper, with the addition of an organic solvent (ethanol) to the dispersion of Ag-doped ZnO 1 wt% nanoparticles (NPs) in deionized (DI) water, the morphology of the buffer layer (Ag-doped ZnO 1 wt%) can be controlled. This approach focuses on reducing the wettability of the ZnO/Ag-doped ZnO 1 wt% bilayer ETLs and enhancing the stability of un-doped ZnO ETL-PSCs. According to the results, the ZnO/H2O-ethanol mixtures-Ag-doped ZnO 1 wt% bilayer ETL leads to the formation of high-quality perovskite with low defects, reducing the recombination rate, and long-term stability of un-doped ZnO ETL-PSCs in ambient conditions. |
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| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T15:07:29Z |
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| spelling | doaj.art-b4a5e62624484b459256d047009169ba2024-03-05T18:50:19ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222024-02-0114111810.1038/s41598-024-55379-wControlling surface morphology of Ag-doped ZnO as a buffer layer by dispersion engineering in planar perovskite solar cellsGhazaleh Bagha0Katayoon Samavati1Homam Naffakh-Moosavy2Laleh Farhang Matin3Department of Physics, North Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad UniversityDepartment of Physics, North Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad UniversityDepartment of Materials Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University (TMU)Department of Physics, North Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad UniversityAbstract In recent years, the power conversion efficiency (PCE (%)) of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has improved to over 26%. To enhance the photovoltaic properties of PSCs, several materials for the electron transport layer (ETL) have been investigated. Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a significant ETL due to its high electron mobility and optical transparency in PSCs. As a result of various deposition methods, ZnO ETL can be processed at low temperatures. On the other hand, based on several studies, metal-doped ZnO can facilitate electron transfer, thereby improving the performance of un-doped ZnO ETL-based PSCs. Here, to improve the PCE (%) and long-term stability of un-doped ZnO ETL-PSCs, silver (Ag)-doped ZnO 1wt% as a buffer layer is examined. In this paper, with the addition of an organic solvent (ethanol) to the dispersion of Ag-doped ZnO 1 wt% nanoparticles (NPs) in deionized (DI) water, the morphology of the buffer layer (Ag-doped ZnO 1 wt%) can be controlled. This approach focuses on reducing the wettability of the ZnO/Ag-doped ZnO 1 wt% bilayer ETLs and enhancing the stability of un-doped ZnO ETL-PSCs. According to the results, the ZnO/H2O-ethanol mixtures-Ag-doped ZnO 1 wt% bilayer ETL leads to the formation of high-quality perovskite with low defects, reducing the recombination rate, and long-term stability of un-doped ZnO ETL-PSCs in ambient conditions.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-55379-wBuffer layerWater–ethanol mixturesDispersionZnOElectron transport layer |
| spellingShingle | Ghazaleh Bagha Katayoon Samavati Homam Naffakh-Moosavy Laleh Farhang Matin Controlling surface morphology of Ag-doped ZnO as a buffer layer by dispersion engineering in planar perovskite solar cells Scientific Reports Buffer layer Water–ethanol mixtures Dispersion ZnO Electron transport layer |
| title | Controlling surface morphology of Ag-doped ZnO as a buffer layer by dispersion engineering in planar perovskite solar cells |
| title_full | Controlling surface morphology of Ag-doped ZnO as a buffer layer by dispersion engineering in planar perovskite solar cells |
| title_fullStr | Controlling surface morphology of Ag-doped ZnO as a buffer layer by dispersion engineering in planar perovskite solar cells |
| title_full_unstemmed | Controlling surface morphology of Ag-doped ZnO as a buffer layer by dispersion engineering in planar perovskite solar cells |
| title_short | Controlling surface morphology of Ag-doped ZnO as a buffer layer by dispersion engineering in planar perovskite solar cells |
| title_sort | controlling surface morphology of ag doped zno as a buffer layer by dispersion engineering in planar perovskite solar cells |
| topic | Buffer layer Water–ethanol mixtures Dispersion ZnO Electron transport layer |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-55379-w |
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