Fabrication of zinc oxide-cuprous oxide photovoltaic cell for teaching purpose using locally available materials

Abstract

A Photovoltaic cell was fabricated using two simple, cheap, low toxic, environmentally friendly semiconductors (Zinc oxide and Cuprous oxide) to teach student recipients on how to convert light into electricity as obtained with the more complex conventional solar cells. The semiconductors were prepared using wet Chemistry techniques at room temperature. The UV- analysis gave the band gap energy values within the semiconductor range as 3.35eV and 2.51eV respectively. The light related current - voltage characteristics of the fabricated cell and its open circuit voltage for different illumination levels were comparable to those of conventional solar cells. This indicates that it is possible to produce a functional photovoltaic cell through local improvisation that can be used to stimulate the interest of learners.

Keywords: Zinc oxide, Cuprous oxide, Photovoltaic cell, Bandgap energy