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Characterization and application of nano-composite zinc oxide/poly vinyl alcohol thin-film in solar cell performance enhancement

Rahman, Mohammed Ataur and Shaheer, Ahmed Khan and Nur, Azam (2022) Characterization and application of nano-composite zinc oxide/poly vinyl alcohol thin-film in solar cell performance enhancement. Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology, 36 (9 (2022)). xxx-xxx. ISSN 1738494X E-ISSN 19763824 (In Press)

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Abstract

Flexible, economical, and low-toxic organic solar cells are becoming highly popular in photovoltaic research. Interestingly, its efficiency of energy conversion remains lower than that of silicon-based solar cells. As a result, it is unavoidable to focus on organic solar cell efficiency enhancement. This article presents a nano-composite thin-film developed using Zinc oxide (ZnO) and Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with a solution casting technique varying weight per- centage (wt.%) of ZnO into the PVA matrix. The characterization of the thin-film of ZnO/PVA has been made using SEM, XRD, FTIR, and UV-Vis Spectroscopy. The characterization re- veals that the ZnO nanoparticle network forms an excellent path for electron flow in the PVA matrix at the optimal ZnO concentration of 16.66 % and a PVA concentration of 83.33 %. The thin film was applied to an organic solar cell of architecture consists of carbon fiber reinforced with ZnO-Epoxy Resin/CuO-Epoxy Resin for performance investigation. The solar cell's maxi- mum efficiency was determined to be 9.01 % before and 14.65 % after using the nano- composite film. 5.64 % increase in the efficiency of organic solar cells are observed after the ZnO/PVA nanocomposite thin film is applied.

Item Type: Article (Journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords: Organic solar panel, Performance enhancement, Renewable energy, ZnO/CuO-PVA thin film
Subjects: T Technology > TL Motor vehicles. Aeronautics. Astronautics
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button): Kulliyyah of Engineering > Department of Mechanical Engineering
Depositing User: Dr Md Ataur Rahman
Date Deposited: 03 Aug 2022 09:30
Last Modified: 03 Aug 2022 09:30
URI: http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/99086

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