Unveiling SiO₂ nanoparticle derived from rice husk doped P-type Cu₂O thin films for solar cell application

Photovoltaics is the third-largest renewable energy source in the world today due to its popularity; however, thin-film solar cells are currently replacing PV due to material limitations in large-scale applications. These cells must be developed from widely accessible, fairly cost-effective, and environmentally benign materials. Silica nanoparticles derived from rice husk (SiO₂np) and doped Cu₂O thin films were examined for solar cell applications. A nebulizer spray technique was used to deposit SiO₂np of 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, and 1.25 wt% onto Cu₂O. The electrical, optical, and microstructural properties of the deposited thin films were studied. The presence of SiO₂np in the Cu₂O phase was observed in the XRD spectrum. The structural, optical, and electrical properties of SiO₂np: Cu₂O thin films were highly affected by SiO₂np doping. The energy bandgap and optical transmittance are reduced with a rise in SiO₂np doping. An 84.61% and 98.85% increment in mobility and carrier concentration and a 33.87% and 72.72% decrease in band gap and resistivity were obtained at 1.25 w% SiO₂np:Cu₂O. It was established that SiO₂np:Cu₂O thin films produced 0.480% power conversion efficiency and 0.30 V open-circuit voltage.