Numerical Modelling Analysis for Carrier Concentration Level Optimization of CdTe Heterojunction Thin Film–Based Solar Cell with Different Non–Toxic Metal Chalcogenide Buffer Layers Replacements: Using SCAPS–1D Software

Samer H Zyoud,Ahed H Zyoud,Atef F I Abdelkader,Naser M Ahmed

doi:10.3390/cryst11121454

Samer H Zyoud, Ahed H Zyoud + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst11121454

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Abstract

Cadmium telluride (CdTe), a metallic dichalcogenide material, was utilized as an absorber layer for thin film–based solar cells with appropriate configurations and the SCAPS–1D structures program was used to evaluate the results. In both known and developing thin film photovoltaic systems, a CdS thin–film buffer layer is frequently employed as a traditional n–type heterojunction partner. In this study, numerical simulation was used to determine a suitable non–toxic material for the buffer layer that can be used instead of CdS, among various types of buffer layers (ZnSe, ZnO, ZnS and In2S3) and carrier concentrations for the absorber layer (NA) and buffer layer (ND) were varied to determine the optimal simulation parameters. Carrier concentrations (NA from 2 × 1012 cm−3 to 2 × 1017 cm−3 and ND from 1 × 1016 cm−3 to 1 × 1022 cm−3) differed. The results showed that the use of CdS as a buffer–layer–based CdTe absorber layer for solar cell had the highest efficiency (%) of 17.43%. Furthermore, high conversion efficiencies of 17.42% and 16.27% were for the ZnSe and ZnO-based buffer layers, respectively. As a result, ZnO and ZnSe are potential candidates for replacing the CdS buffer layer in thin–film solar cells. Here, the absorber (CdTe) and buffer (ZnSe) layers were chosen to improve the efficiency by finding the optimal density of the carrier concentration (acceptor and donor). The simulation findings above provide helpful recommendations for fabricating high–efficiency metal oxide–based solar cells in the lab.

Highlights

The challenge of global warming has prompted the further study of solar and other renewable energy sources
Cadmium (Cd) is poisonous and Cadmium sulfide (CdS) is classified as a carcinogen, both of which are harmful to the environment and humans
The optimal photovoltaic parameters (VOC, JSC, fill factor (FF) and η %) of a cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin film with various buffer layers are shown in Table 4 and and In2 S3 had a lower efficiency of 15.88% and 14.23%, respectively

Summary

Introduction

The challenge of global warming has prompted the further study of solar and other renewable energy sources. Solar cells are a fundamental component of solar energy. Different materials are used to create solar cells, with silicon being the most commercially feasible and prevalent. The majority of the alternative materials were developed with the goal of producing low–cost, high–efficiency and long–lasting solar cells. The efficiency is still modest, nanostructured metal oxide solar cells have moved a step farther in delivering clean, cheap and sustainable solar cells [1]. Solar energy conversion to useable power using a solid–state p–n junction based photovoltaic (PV) device offers enormous promise in the efforts to reduce our current reliance on fossil fuels and, as a result, to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions [2,3]

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