Simple and low-cost Cu2S/TiO2 architecture for 3G ETA solar cell: Fabrication, characterization and their performance

The present work explores the unexposed Cu2S/TiO2 architecture for a 3rd generation (3G) extremely thin absorber (ETA) solar cell fabricated by simple and low-cost chemical routes at room temperature. The structural, optical, surface morphological and electron kinetic studies of the proposed architecture are systematically investigated. The results clearly establish that porous TiO2 is homogeneously​ decorated by tiny Cu2S nanoparticles, boosting the optical absorbance in the visible range of the solar spectrum. Moreover, we have successfully demonstrated the solar cell device grade performance of the Cu2S/TiO2 architecture by constructing a sandwich type device structure. The photoconversion efficiency, as well as the charge transportation across the Cu2S/TiO2 device, is remarkably impacted by tuning successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) cycles. Furthermore the research article briefly discusses a comparative analysis of all characterizations and the photovoltaic performance of the proposed Cu2S/TiO2 architecture with respect to the SILAR cycles.