Effect of copper nanoparticle contents in polyaniline/copper nanoparticle (PANi/CuNPs) composites photoanode material on the photovoltaic performance of organic solar cells

Abstract

Scientists have embraced the green synthesis method for nanoparticle synthesis because of its many advantages over physical and chemical methods. It does not release harmful chemicals and is an economically cheap process. As a result, the present study synthesized copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) from siam leaf (Chromolaena odorata) extract. The synthesized CuNPs were used to prepare polyaniline/copper nanocomposites (PANi/CuNPs) which were then used as a photoanode in the solar cell. The structural, morphological, and optical properties of the synthesized CuNPs were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), UV–Visible spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). The XRD pattern revealed a crystalline nature for CuNPs, with the average diameter of particles being 20 µm. SEM analysis revealed a spherical shape with a size ranging from 10 to 30 µm. The solar cell fabricated with PANI/40% CuNP as a photoactive anode layer designates an overall efficiency of 19.2% with a sheet resistance of 0.248 Ω. This performance was higher than PANI-based solar cells, with an efficiency of 16.5% and sheat resistance of 5.07 Ω under similar conditions. The synthesized CuNPs show commendable potential for application in solar cell fabrication. Thus, this work provides further insight into improvement in the efficiency of organic solar cells.