ZnO-PTAA potential hybrid hetero-junction for transparent renewable energy device: A transparent optoelectronic device

Cost effective transparent renewable energy technology shows promise in helping to fulfill future micro- and nano-segment energy demands. The application of transparent renewable energy devices could be substantial built in to housing and other transparent sub-systems. Organic devices have a higher breakdown and greater open circuit voltage whereas inorganic devices have low breakdown voltage and greater thermal saturation. Current disputes can be standardised by a combination of both. The effect of organic-inorganic hybrid hetero-junctions band barrier on leakage current and subsequent current density have been investigated for prospective green applications. Instead of the commonly used p-type PEDOT:PSS highly conductive and thermally stable PTAA organic material was employed in this study. PTAA is deposited on RF sputtered inorganic ZnO/ITO materials by a spin-coating method at a thickness of 100 and 60nm for 1000 and 2000 rpm growth sequence respectively. Different temperature annealed materials heterointerface J-V characterisation are accomplished. The band barrier and annealing temperature show marked variations on leakage current, and current density are investigated. Grain size, barrier height and leakage current relationships were realised from this study. Greater grain size shows higher barrier height however, leakage current were found to be reduced at the greater grain size. Simulated hetero-structure and corresponding optoelectrical properties were characterised by using general purpose photovoltaic device model (GPVDM). PTAA as p-type emitter materials, its transparent properties were found promising in absorbing particular energy bands paramount for the climate change scenario. Annealing temperature and growth properties were shown to improve conversion performance of electrical energy.