Preparation and Characterization of Transparent, Conductive ZnO Thin Film for Photovoltaic Solar Cells

Abstract

Zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films have found extensive applications in optoelectronic devices for example, photovoltaic solar cells, liquid crystal displays, heat mirrors and multiplayer photothermal conversion system. In this study, we were reported on the growth of transparent conducting ZnO thin films by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis technique to investigate its application potential in photovoltaic solar cells. These films, deposited on glass substrates at an optimal substrate temperature (T_S = 350 °C). The optical, electrical, structural and surface properties of the films were investigated. The optical properties of ZnO thin films were investigated using a UV-VIS spectrophotometer and the optical parameters (refractive index (n) and extinction coefficient (k)) have been calculated by spectroscopic ellipsometry. The crystallographic properties and surface morphology of the films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), respectively. The variation in resistivity of the films was measured by the four-point probe method. Also, transparent and conductive ZnO thin films, as transparent conducting oxide contact and window material to employed for photovoltaic solar cells was searched.