Fabrication of ZnO/Cu sub(2)O heterojunctions in atmospheric conditions: Improved interface quality and solar cell performance

Zn sub(1-x)Mg sub(x)O/Cu sub(2)O heterojunctions were successfully fabricated in open-air at low temperatures via atmospheric atomic layer deposition of Zn sub(1-x)Mg sub(x)O on thermally oxidized cuprous oxide. Solar cells employing these heterojunctions demonstrated a power conversion efficiency e...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Solar energy materials and solar cells 2015-04, Vol.135, p.43-48
Main Authors: Ievskaya, Y, Hoye, R LZ, Sadhanala, A, Musselman, K P, MacManus-Driscoll, J L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Atmospherics
COPPER OXIDE
CUPROUS OXIDE
CURRENT DENSITY
DEPOSITION
Electric potential
FABRICATION
Heterojunctions
INTERFACES
Photovoltaic cells
Solar cells
VOLTAGE
ZINC OXIDE
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Summary:Zn sub(1-x)Mg sub(x)O/Cu sub(2)O heterojunctions were successfully fabricated in open-air at low temperatures via atmospheric atomic layer deposition of Zn sub(1-x)Mg sub(x)O on thermally oxidized cuprous oxide. Solar cells employing these heterojunctions demonstrated a power conversion efficiency exceeding 2.2% and an open-circuit voltage of 0.65 V. Surface oxidation of Cu sub(2)O to CuO prior to and during Zn sub(1-x)Mg sub(x)O deposition was identified as the limiting factor to obtaining a high quality heterojunction interface. Optimization of deposition conditions to minimize Cu sub(2)O surface oxidation led to improved device performance, tripling the open-circuit voltage and doubling the short-circuit current density. These values are the highest reported for a ZnO/Cu sub(2)O interface formed in air, and highlight atmospheric ALD as a promising technique for inexpensive and scalable fabrication of ZnO/Cu sub(2)O heterojunctions.
ISSN:0927-0248
DOI:10.1016/j.solmat.2014.09.018