Fabrication and characterization of copper oxide-zinc oxide solar cells prepared by electrodeposition

Copper oxide-based heterojunction solar cells were fabricated by electrodeposition, and the electronic and optical properties were investigated. ZnO was used as an n-type semiconductor, and copper oxides were used as p-type semiconductors. A photovoltaic device based on an FTO/ZnO/Cu2O heterojunction structure provided short-circuit current density of 2.7 mAcm−2 and open circuit voltage of 0.28 V under an air mass 1.5 illumination. Microstructures of the solar cells were investigated by scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction, which indicated formation of copper oxides and ZnO. Energy levels of the solar cells were discussed.