Growth of Cu2O on TCO by SILAR method acts as an alternative buffer electrode layer towards the development of organic solar cell

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Year : 2026 | Volume : 13 | 02 | Page :
    By

    Asmita Patra,

  • Suman Mahata,

  • Animesh Layek,

  1. Ph.D Scholar, Department of Physics, Jadavpur University, Kolkata-700032, West Bengal, India
  2. Ph.D Scholar, Department of Physics, Jadavpur University, Kolkata-700032, West Bengal, India
  3. Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, Jadavpur University, Kolkata-700032, West Bengal, India

Abstract

In many types of optoelectronic devices, layer of PEDOT: PSS is sandwiched between the indium-tin oxide (ITO) electrode and the active layer. Buffer PEDOT: PSS provides a well- defined work function which is higher than that of ITO (4.2eV), it smooths the ITO surface and so avoids shorts, and it also protects the active layer from ingress of indium or oxygen, leading to longer device lifetimes. The role of PEDOT: PSS is enormous. Unfortunately, PEDOT: PSS colloidal solution is strongly acidic and the PSS is strongly hygroscopic, which has the potential to cause degradation in adjacent layers, if water is not removed completely. Here to smooth the surface of ITO and to improve the durability of the device a buffer layer of Cu 2 O has newly been introduced, adopting SILAR method on ITO. A qualitative comparison has been performed with Cu 2 O buffer layer to the most familiar PEDOT: PSS buffer layer. The thorough characterization of both the buffer materials are performed by XRD and UV-Vis transmittance spectroscopy. The surface morphology has been analyzed by AFM. Finally, the influence of buffer layer on energy conversion efficiency has been tested for the MEH-PPV/PCBM based organic solar cell, by fabricating the device of configuration ITO/buffer-material/ MEH-PPV/PCBM/Aluminium. The improvement in open circuit voltage and light conversion efficiency implied the potential applicability of Cu 2 O over PEDOT: PSS as buffer electrode layer.

Keywords: SILAR Method; Buffer Layer; Organic solar cell; Growth of Cu 2 O

How to cite this article:
Asmita Patra, Suman Mahata, Animesh Layek. Growth of Cu2O on TCO by SILAR method acts as an alternative buffer electrode layer towards the development of organic solar cell. Journal of Thin Films, Coating Science Technology & Application. 2026; 13(02):-.
How to cite this URL:
Asmita Patra, Suman Mahata, Animesh Layek. Growth of Cu2O on TCO by SILAR method acts as an alternative buffer electrode layer towards the development of organic solar cell. Journal of Thin Films, Coating Science Technology & Application. 2026; 13(02):-. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jotcsta/article=2026/view=245311


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Ahead of Print Subscription Original Research
Volume 13
02
Received 08/04/2026
Accepted 18/05/2026
Published 27/05/2026
Publication Time 49 Days
3

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