Light trapping and power conversion efficiency of P3HT : nano Si hybrid solar cells

Abstract

In this study, the hybrid solar cells (HSCs) were fabricated with high-purity nano Si from nano SiO₂ precursor extracted from natural minerals, that is, quartz sand. The prepared nano Si was used as an electron transport material to prepare an active layer material mixture with poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) by mixing it in two composition ratios, namely 1 : 1 and 1 : 0.8. The blended active layer solutions (ALSs) were prepared by using solvents such as 1,2-dichlorobenzene (DCB), chlorobenzene (CB), and chloroform (CF). The HSCs were fabricated using six blended ALSs, namely ALS1, ALS2, ALS3, ALS4, ALS5, and ALS6. The current density–voltage characteristics of the fabricated HSCs were studied using a simulated AM 1.5G illumination having light density power of 100 mW cm⁻². The characterization properties such as short circuit current density (J_sc) and power conversion efficiency (PCE) were studied and compared with those of all six HSCs fabricated with six blended ALSs. At the outset, the P3HT : nano-Si (1 : 0.8) blended ALS in CB solvent shows 2.37% PCE, and 46% of external quantum efficiency (EQE) absorption which is higher than the other fabricated solar cells. This study discusses the possibilities of preparation of nano Si from natural mineral sand, as an effective electron transport material to fabricate HSCs with enhanced PCE.