Enhanced charge transport characteristics in zinc oxide nanofibers via Mg2+ doping for electron transport layer in perovskite solar cells and antibacterial textiles

Abstract

ZnO is well-known electron transport material; however, its charge carrier mobility is restricted due to lower conductivity and hysteresis losses. To overcome these issues, 1–3 wt% Mg-doped ZnO nanofibers were synthesized via electrospinning and then applied as electron transport layer (ETL) of perovskite solar cell. The structural, morphological, chemical composition, electronic structure, and optical activity of the synthesized nanofibers were studied to elucidate the role of Mg doping. X-ray diffraction of all nanofibers revealed that Mg was successfully incorporated into ZnO lattice and revealed that ZnO is present in hexagonal wurtzite structure. Optical characterization of the nanofibers revealed that with an increase in Mg 2+ doping concentration, the bandgap energy (Eg) tuned from 3.36 eV to 2.8 eV. It was observed that doping ZnO matrix with Mg ions improved the electronic structure, hence favoring the increase in the fill factor, current density, and efficiency. By doping 1, 2, and 3 wt% Mg into ZnO, efficiency was increased up to 8.48, 10.33, and 13.52%, respectively. Thus, a significant improvement in the performance of ZnO was noted by our proposed facile Mg doping. In addition, a significant improvement in photocatalytic activity was observed in Mg doped ZnO, which was used for fabrication of antibacterial textiles.