Optimizing the Efficiency of Polymer Solar Cells Based on Core-Shell PAni@ZnO Composites Utilizing Argon Plasma Treatment

Argon (Ar) plasma modification is an effective technique to boost the diversity of active absorption sites on the PAni-based photoactive layer surface, paving the way for efficient organic solar cells. Herein, several in-situ Ar plasma doses (i.e., 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 min) were applied to innovative constructed active layers of PAni@ZnO (PZ) in order to optimize their microstructural and physiochemical properties for the first time. The properties associated with such materials, such as optical, surface morphology, structural identification, bulk density, contact angle, roughness behaviours, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and photocurrent-photovoltage (J–V) characteristics were all carefully analysed and compared. The pristine cell (FTO|GO/PAni@ZnO(0 min)/TiO₂|Ag) possesses the lowest power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 2.68% as well as the lowest J_sc of 7.71 mA/cm². Whenever the active layer of PZ was exposed to plasma dosage for 1 min and subjected to the produced cell FTO|GO/PAni@ZnO(1 min)/TiO₂|Ag, the PCE and J_sc progressively rose to 3.32% and 8.8 mA/cm², respectively. Whereas, integrating high-energies plasma ions boosted the movement of charge carriers in PAni alloys while lowering the recombination of charge carriers by producing an atmosphere conducive to charge separation. Consequently, longer lifespans as well as better transfer of charges within the photovoltaic (PV) cell as an outcome of the enhanced movement, minimized resistive losses. In this regard, the optimized PCE of 5.33% and J_sc of 12.62 mA/cm² were achieved after 4 min of plasma modification in the planned cell of FTO|GO/PAni@ZnO (4 min)/TiO₂|Ag. The rise in PCE was equivalent to a 49.7% relative growth over a pristine one. This enhancement was ascribed to the suffusing quantity of plasma radicals forming the interconnecting channels of the PAni network, thereby elevated PV performance via enhancing electron transmission within the hybrid. An energy future that is more robust and sustainable will be facilitated by ongoing advancements in organic solar cell (OSC) innovation and its integration into energy systems.