Eka Nurfani, Viona R. Putri, Mezan A. Al Qadri, Wahyu S. Sipahutar, Dedi Triyadi, Iwan S. Saputra, Eri Widianto, Rishal Asri, Muhamad F. Arif
This study investigates the effect of Mn dopant on the performance of ZnO as an electron transport layer (ETL) in dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) applications. The Mn concentrations in the ZnO films were varied for 0 wt% (MZ1), 0.8 wt% (MZ2), and 1.3 wt% (MZ3) through the spray pyrolysis method. As a result, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed a reduction in ZnO crystallite size from 25 nm (MZ1) to 23 nm (MZ2) and 21 nm (MZ3). Field effect scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) showed a corresponding decrease in particle size, from 265 nm (MZ1) to 220 nm (MZ2) and 209 nm (MZ3). UV-vis absorption spectroscopy indicated a slight reduction in bandgap energy, from 3.19 eV (MZ1) to 3.15 eV (MZ3). For dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) application, a device structure consisting of indium tin oxide (ITO)/ZnO:Mn/dye/electrolyte/graphite was fabricated. J-V measurements demonstrated that the efficiency of DSSCs improved from 1.8% (MZ1) to 2.7% (MZ2) and 3.9% (MZ3). This study reveals the potential of Mn-doped ZnO as a cost-effective and efficient material for optimizing DSSC performance, contributing to the development of sustainable energy technologies. © 2025 IOP Publishing Ltd. All rights, including for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies, are reserved.
Department of Materials Engineering, Faculty of Industrial Technology, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, Lampung, 35365, Indonesia; Center for Green and Sustainable Materials, Institut Teknologi Sumatera (ITERA), Lampung, 35365, Indonesia; Department of Cosmetic Engineering, Faculty of Industrial Technology, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, Lampung, 35365, Indonesia; Department of Physics, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Singaperbangsa Karawang, Karawang, 41361, Indonesia; Energy System Engineering, Faculty of Industrial Technology, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, Lampung, 35365, Indonesia