Unravelling the effects of Zn doping on the physical properties of Co3O4 thin films: experimental study and numerical simulation based on the AZO/ZnS/Co3O4:Zn/Mo/SLG solar cells
摘要
Thin films of pure and zinc-doped nanostructures have been successfully grown using the spray pyrolysis technique. Different characterization techniques were used to study the impact of zinc incorporation into the material at different concentrations (0–6%) on their microstructural, morphological, optical and electrical behaviors. XRD results revealed that all films displayed a spinel-like polycrystalline cubic structure, with a preferential orientation of crystallites along the (311) plane. SEM images revealed a uniform surface with a porous structure and nanocrystalline grain size in all films. Optical absorption was enhanced by doping, suggesting the creation of voids and/or the replacement of Co ions by Zn ions in the film structure. In addition, electrical measurements show a noteworthy enhancement in electrical conductivity following the Zn doping process, particularly for dopant concentrations of 2% and 4%. Numerical simulation using SCAPS-1D also reveals that the solar cell, based on our experimental results, can achieve a notable efficiency of up to 12%.