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The outcomes of Zn do** on the properties of CuO thin films prepared via modified SILAR method and its impact on the performance of CuO-based solar cells using Cd0.4Zn0.6S-ETL and Spiro-OMeTAD-HTL

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Abstract

Do** is a highly effective tool for modifying the properties of semiconductor thin films. This study quantitatively examines the effect of zinc (Zn) do** on the physical properties of copper oxide (CuO) thin films prepared using a modified SILAR method. The crystalline structure, morphology and optical properties of the obtained samples were further characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), and UV–visible spectrometry. XRD analysis confirmed the inclusion of Zn into the CuO crystal lattice without altering its monoclinic structure, and no secondary phases such as Cu\(_{2}\)O, Cu(OH)\(_{2}\), or ZnO were detected, indicating high-quality films. SEM images reveal that surfaces are uniformly coated, dense and compact with uniform distribution of grains. EDX spectrum and map** analysis verified the incorporation of Zn atoms into CuO thin films. In addition, the UV–Visible spectroscopy a significantly indicated an increase in transmission and enhanced the bandgap from 1.47 to 1.55 eV with an increase in Zn concentration. The impact of Zn do** on the refractive index and the Urbach energy of CuO nanostructures has been investigated. Zn do** improved the optical properties of the films without trading off the tenorite phase of CuO thin films making them suitable in solar cells applications. Additionally, the impact of Zn-doped CuO on solar cell performance was investigated using the SCAPS-1D program. A novel heterostructure (ITO/Cd\(_{0.4}\)Zn\(_{0.6}\)S/Zn:CuO/Spiro-PMeTAD/Au) designed for CuO-based solar cells was analysed. Firstly, Cd\(_{1-x}\)Zn\(_{x}\)S was investigated as a factor affecting the performance of undoped CuO solar cells. Simulation results demonstrated that increasing Zn do** in CuO enhances solar cell efficiency. Finally, the proposed heterostructure design exhibits promising advancements, highlighting the potential for enhancing solar cell efficiency through targeted material do** and precise heterostructure engineering.

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The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge Dr. Marc Burgelman and their team from Gunt University Belgium for develo** the SCAPS-1D simulation software.

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This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Engineering and Materials (LIMAT), Faculty of Sciences Ben M’sik, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco

    Othmane Daoudi & Mohamed Idiri

  2. Laboratory of Materials Physics and Subatomics, Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra, Morocco

    Othmane Daoudi, Ilyass Jellal, Assiya Haddout, Ismail Benaicha, Khalid Nouneh, Mohammed Lharch & Mounir Fahoume

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  1. Othmane Daoudi
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Daoudi, O., Jellal, I., Haddout, A. et al. The outcomes of Zn do** on the properties of CuO thin films prepared via modified SILAR method and its impact on the performance of CuO-based solar cells using Cd0.4Zn0.6S-ETL and Spiro-OMeTAD-HTL. J Mater Sci: Mater Electron 35, 1353 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-024-13094-2

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