Fabrication of novel rare earth doped ionic perovskite nanomaterials of Sr0.5, Cu0.4, Y0.1 and Sr0.5 and Mn0.5 for high power efficient energy harvesting photovoltaic cells

Abstract

The present work describes solar cell properties of perovskite nanocomposite materials of Sr 0.5 Cu 0.4 Y0.5 (n-type) and Sr 0.5 and Mn 0.5 (p-type) synthesized through co precipitation method. The materials were fabricated over FTO (Fluorine Doped Tin Oxide)- Glass by doctor’s blade method and studied for power conversion efficiency (PCE) characteristics using solar simulator in dark and light illumination (different thickness of the fabricated samples). 125nm (1:1 of n/p), 255nm (1:1 of n/p) and 500nm (1:1 of n/p) thickness of the fabricated samples were analyzed for their PCE Characteristics. Perovskite materials were synthesized and the materials thus obtained were analyzed by spectroscopic method using SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy), CV (Cyclic Voltammetry) and UV-Visible. Studies related to current density and voltage (JV) were carried out under dark and light illumination, recorded Pmax, Pmin, Vmax, Imax, Jsc, and FF (Fill Factor) to calculate PCE. SEM studies showed orthorhombic nano crystals with 25-55 nm size. CV showed p and n type with band gap of 1.85 eV, UV-Visible studies illustrated the absorptive maxima is in between 485nm to 660nm, the experiments were done using different thickness of the nanocomposite films. PCE of the fabricated device performed increased efficiency of 8.10 % over the existing and reported solar cell devices. The results showed doping of rare earth metals like Sr, Y to the nanocomposites increases the PCE of the fabricated photovoltaic cells. The increased efficiency is due the formation of large grain boundary, small particle size of 25nm and increased fill factor (FF).