engleski

Nanostructured SnO2 thin-films for solar cells

For sensing, catalytic and various optoelectronic materials, where nanocomposites based on semiconducting oxides find application, the major challenge is to elucidate a configuration that will improve functional performances [1]. Tin(IV) oxide is earth-abundant, important and widely used semiconductor (with a bandgap of 3.6 eV), a part of the transparent conductive oxide (TCO) family. It is investigated for application in photovoltaic devices due to the deep conduction band level and high electron mobility which can lead to more efficient electron extraction and transport of charge carriers. Synthetic wise, various routes to derive SnO2 nanocrystals and nanostructures have been examined, including flame pyrolysis, thermal evaporation, hydrothermal synthesis, and various sol-gel methods [2]. In this work, we report on the synthesis and characterisation methods of SnO2 nanoparticles and nanostructured thin-films in order to control size and morphology on behalf of varying the reaction conditions. We try to shed more light on the processes behind the forming of the domains, depending on the reaction settings. Prepared samples are thoroughly (micro)structurally and electrically characterised using XRD, AFM, SEM, impedance spectroscopy (IS) and deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) analysis. All of these point out the level of chemical and structural homogeneity (Fig. 1), and the influence of temperature and other reaction conditions on the growth and properties of nanostructures. We strive to achieve more precise control of the SnO2 surface properties, including film quality, defects, and surface states, to facilitate the charge transfer and mitigate the recombination.

tin(iv) oxide ; transparent conductive oxide ; solar cells ; thin films

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