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An investigation of photovoltaic devices based on p ‐type Cu 2 O and n ‐type γ‐WO 3 junction through an electrolyte solution containing a redox pair
Author(s) -
Resende Andressa L. S.,
Costa Antonio G. R.,
Lima Aline E. B.,
Costa Maria J. S.,
Longo Elson,
Cavalcante Laécio S.,
Santos Reginaldo S.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
international journal of energy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.808
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1099-114X
pISSN - 0363-907X
DOI - 10.1002/er.5974
Subject(s) - solar cell , electrolyte , open circuit voltage , short circuit , materials science , oxide , electrochemistry , photoelectrochemical cell , polysulfide , chemical engineering , nanotechnology , analytical chemistry (journal) , optoelectronics , electrode , chemistry , voltage , electrical engineering , metallurgy , engineering , chromatography
Summary In this article, we report a solar cell prepared with p ‐type cuprous oxide (Cu 2 O) and n ‐type gamma‐tungsten oxide (γ‐WO 3 ) films combined by an redox electrolyte in a configuration similar to that used in dye‐sensitized solar cells. Cu 2 O films were prepared by the electrochemical method in three different pH conditions. X‐ray diffraction patterns revealed that the Cu 2 O films presented a crystalline phase with cubic structure after deposition, whereas the n ‐type γ‐WO 3 film was prepared by the drop‐casting method. Optical analyses showed that both oxide films absorb visible light. After the photoelectrochemical characterization of the films, solar cells configured like a “sandwich” (Cu 2 O/electrolyte/γ‐WO 3 ) were assembled and investigated under irradiation of 100 mW cm −2 . The solar cell with I − / I 3 − redox pair showed better results than that prepared with polysulfide K 2 S/ S n 2 −electrolyte. For each solar cell, the investigated parameters were short‐circuit current density, open‐circuit voltage, fill factor, maximum power, and cell efficiency. The method proposed here can be considered new, promising, and simple for the preparation of solar cells with a p – n junction.