Abstract
This study focuses on developing nanostructured metal oxide thin films for solar cell application. Metal oxides of Nickel Oxide (NiO) and copper II Oxide (CuO) were deposited on glass and ITO substrates using the spin coating process. South Africa and the rest of the world are moving toward a more digitized society and economy. In this context, Renewable energy changes the daily lifestyle and how people see life and do business. Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) continues to grabble with the epileptic power supply, yet there is a vast amount of solar radiation to accommodate solar energy. However, the problem associated with affordability and domestication of solar continues to hinder the usage of the technology. As a result, this research study aims to develop, and build based on a nanostructured metal oxide thin layer on a photovoltaic solar cell system by using NiO and CuO as materials. The study also covered the device fabrication, characterization, and analysis course. Simulation modeling and laboratory experiment were done. Hence, the experimental results were examined and assessed against the simulated one.
The study also covered the device fabrication, characterization, and analysis study. Nickel Oxide (NiO), copper II Oxide (CuO), and Titanium dioxide (TiO2) were deposited on an indium tin oxide (ITO) glass substrate surface using the spin coating method. A scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared microscopy were used to evaluate the films and a four-point probe for the final device. The films that had been optimized and placed on glass substrates were utilized to fabricate the solar cell device deposited with ITO substrates using spin coating and magnetron methods. The devices have a 1.70 mA short circuit current, a 31% fill factor, and a 300mV open-circuit voltage, among other optoelectronic features, and solar efficiency of 10.20 % for NiO/TiO2 as well as 1.20 mA, 27 %, 250 mV, and 8.1 % efficiency respectively for CuO/TiO2. Simulation modelling was done to validate the laboratory experiment. Solar cells analysis software (SCAPS) was used for the theoretical validation. The input parameters include a simulated 100 W/ m2 solar illumination, 400 oC temperature, and other optimized conditions. The output agreed with the experimental efficiency of 11.5 % and 7.08%, NiO/TiO2 and CuO/TiO2, respectively. The study contributed to the existing body of knowledge for thin films, solar cells, and metal oxide applications in photovoltaics.