Characterizations of ZNR/P3HT inorganic-organic hybrid composite as the thin film solar cell active layer materials

Abstract

Zinc oxide nanorods (ZNR) and P3HT inorganic-organic hybrid composite layers were fabricated and characterized for the application as the active layers in thin film solar cells. The effect of different numbers of P3HT layers on the optical properties was studied. Optimum P3HT thickness on the ZNR was determined to provide a direct electron movement pathway and reduce the leakage current during the measurement process. ZNR was grown using the chemical bath deposition (CBD) method on a spin coated ZnO seed layer. P3HT was deposited on top of the ZNR layer via the sol-gel spin coating route, with the number of P3HT layers varied. As expected, the number of layers or thickness of the P3HT layer affected the morphology as confirmed by the FESEM images. Besides, the crystallinity and optical properties of the ZNR/P3HT films changed due to the increase in thickness. Since absorption is an important characteristic for a good solar cell, the sample with 5 layers of P3HT (5-L) sample was found to be the most promising sample with the optimized thickness (356.48 nm) for the application in solar cells. 5-L sample exhibit the highest absorbance value compared to other samples.