Fabrication and analysis of Bi₂O₃/Si heterojunction for solar cell applications

Authors

Maher Khaleel Ibrahim, Department of Physics, College of Science, University Of Anbar, Ramadi, Iraq
Assel Mustafa abdul Majeed, Department of Physics, College of Science, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq
Randa Kamel Husain, Department of Physics, College of Science, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq
Jamal M. Rzaij, Department of Physics, College of Science, University Of Anbar, Ramadi, IraqFollow

Abstract

Bismuth oxide (Bi₂O₃) nanoparticles were synthesized via a green route and integrated into Bi₂O₃/Si heterojunction solar cells. Structural analysis confirmed the monoclinic α-Bi₂O₃ phase with a nanoscale crystallite size, while SEM revealed a uniform morphology. Optical studies showed a direct band gap suitable for absorbing visible light. Photoluminescence spectra exhibited dual emissions at 498 nm and 250 nm, attributed to defect states and quantum confinement, highlighting the dual role of Bi₂O₃ as both absorber and transparent window layer. Electrical characterization under dark conditions demonstrated rectifying diode behavior, confirming the formation of a junction. Capacitance–voltage analysis yielded a built-in potential of 0.71 V and a depletion width of 3.66 µm, indicating efficient charge separation. The current-voltage results under illumination indicated an open-circuit voltage of 180 mV, a short-circuit current density of 3.5 µA/cm², a fill factor of 14.4%, and an efficiency of 0.91%. These results confirm that the interface engineering improves photovoltaic cell performance. They highlight the significant benefits of using environmentally friendly Bi₂O₃/Si heterojunctions.

Recommended Citation

Ibrahim, Maher Khaleel; Majeed, Assel Mustafa abdul; Husain, Randa Kamel; and Rzaij, Jamal M. (2026) "Fabrication and analysis of Bi₂O₃/Si heterojunction for solar cell applications," Al-Bahir: Vol. 8: Iss. 2, Article 6.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.55810/2313-0083.1125

References

[1] Ghosh BK, Weoi CNJ, Islam A, Ghosh SK. Recent progress in Si hetero-junction solar cell: a comprehensive review. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 2018;82:1990—2004. https:// doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2017.07.022.

[2] Abdulrahman A, Alanazi AK, Alsalmah HA, Mubeen S, Elboughdiri N, Jery AEL, et al. Insights into the development of visible-light-induced CeO2-TiO2/g-C3N4 heterojunction catalysts for the mitigation of antibiotic pollutants. J Water Process Eng 2025;76:108293. https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.jwpe.2025.108293.

[3] Alharbi FH, Kais S. Theoretical limits of photovoltaics efficiency and possible improvements by intuitive approaches learned from photosynthesis and quantum coherence. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 2015;43:1073—89. https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.rser.2014.11.101.

[4] Khalefa AA, Marei JM, Radwan HA, Rzaij JM. In2O3-CuO nano-flakes prepared by spray pyrolysis for gas sensing application. Dig J Nanomater Biostruct 2021;16:197—204. https://doi.org/10.15251/DJNB.2021.161.197.

[5] Ali IM, Rzaij JM, Abbas QA, Ibrahim IM, Alatta HJ. Structural, optical and sensing behavior of neodymium-doped vanadium pentoxide thin films. Iran J Sci Technol Trans A Sci 2018;42:2375—86. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40995-018- 0553-5.

[6] Ghdeeb NJ, Abdul Majeed AM, Mohammed AH. Antibacterial activity and physical properties of some metal oxide nanoparticles prepared by different methods. AIP Conf Proc 2023;2834. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0161636. [7] Tran QP, Fang JS, Chin TS. Properties of fluorine-doped SnO2 thin films by a green sol-gel method. Mater Sci Semicond Process 2015;40:664—9. https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.mssp.2015.07.047.

[8] Ismail RA, Al-Naimi A, Al-Ani AA. Studies on fabrication and characterization of a high-performance Al-doped ZnO/n-Si (1 1 1) heterojunction photodetector. Semicond Sci Technol 2008;23. https://doi.org/10.1088/0268-1242/23/7/075030.

[9] Ghdeeb NJ, AbdulMajeed AM, Mohammed AH. Role of extracted nano-metal oxides from factory wastes in medical applications. Iraqi J Sci 2023;64:1704—16. https://doi.org/ 10.24996/ijs.2023.64.4.12.

[10] Rzaij JM, Abbas QA, Khalaf AM. Investigating the structural, topographical, morphological and optical effects of AgO on sprayed SnO2 thin films. Bull Mater Sci 2023;46:200. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12034-023-03040-z.

[11] Ibraheam AS, Rzaij JM, Arshad MKM. Influence of magnesium content on the structural, optical, and electrical properties of Cu2(Zn1-xMgx)SnS4 nanostructured Quaternary thin film synthesized using the sol—gel method. J Electron Mater 2023;52:414—21. https://doi.org/10.1007/ s11664-022-10002-4.

[12] Shamshuddin M, Abderrahmane A, Koulali A, Eid MR, Shahzad F, Jamshed W. Thermal and solutal performance of Cu/CuO nanoparticles on a non-linear radially stretching surface with heat source/sink and varying chemical reaction effects. Int Commun Heat Mass Tran 2021;129:105710. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icheatmasstransfer.2021.105710.

[13] Ahmed RS, Mohammed RS, Abdul Majeed AM, Sudhakaran A. Biological activity of MgO nanoparticle synthesis by plasma-assisted reduction method. Phys 200 AL-BAHIR (JOURNAL FOR ENGINEERING AND PURE SCIENCES) 2026;8:193—201 Scripta 2024;99:115901. https://doi.org/10.1088/1402-4896/ ad7dbc.

[14] Nazari P, Faramarzi MA, Sepehrizadeh Z, Mofid MR, Bazaz RD, Shahverdi AR. Biosynthesis of bismuth nanoparticles using Serratia marcescens isolated from the Caspian Sea and their characterisation. IET Nanobiotechnol 2012;6:58—62. https://doi.org/10.1049/iet-nbt.2010.0043.

[15] Tavakoli F, Salavati-Niasari M, Badiei A, Mohandes F. Green synthesis and characterization of graphene nanosheets. Mater Res Bull 2015;63:51—7. https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.materresbull.2014.11.045.

[16] Gür M, Gürgenç E, Cos¸anay H, Oztop € HF. Novel nanoY2O3/myristic acid nanocomposite PCM for cooling performances of electronic device with various fin designs. J Energy Storage 2024;100:113646. https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.est.2024.113646.

[17] Radwan HA, Marei JM, Khalefa AA, Rzaij JM. ZnO/PSi nanoparticles thin film for NO2 sensing application prepared by pulsed laser deposition. Indian J Phys 2024;98: 455—67. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12648-023-02806-9.

[18] Amari A, Sultan Aljibori HS, Ismail MA, Diab MA, ElSabban HA, Umarov A, et al. Engineering novel 2D MXenebased dual Z-scheme heterojunction photocatalyst for enhanced TC hydrochloride degradation and hydrogen evolution. J Water Process Eng 2025;70:107127. https:// doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.107127. [19] Motakef-Kazemi N, Yaqoubi M. Green synthesis and characterization of bismuth oxide nanoparticle using mentha pulegium extract. Iran J Pharm Res 2020;19:70—9. https://doi.org/10.22037/ijpr.2019.15578.13190.

[20] Zain Alaabedin AA, Abdul Majeed AM, Hamza BH. Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles and their effect on the skin determined using IR thermography. Kuwait J Sci 2024;51: 100076. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.kjs.2023.07.002.

[21] Modhi MK, Rzaij JM. Synthesis and characterization study of CuO thin film and CuO-CeO2 nanostructured composite using chemical spray pyrolysis. In: Al-kadhum 2nd international conference on modern applications of information and communication technology. Baghdad, Iraq: AIP Conference Proceedings; 2023.

[22] Mohammed Enad A, Rzaij JM. Synthesis of CuO thin film incorporated with nanostructured Nd2O3 deposited by pulsed laser deposition for ammonia sensing applications. Nano 2025;20. https://doi.org/10.1142/S1793292024501133.

[23] Rzaij JM, Marei JM, Ibrahim MK, Salih EY, Mohammed MKA. Er2O3-incorporated SnO2 for fastresponse visible-blind UV photodetector: role of Er2O3 in device performance. Mater Chem Phys 2026;348:131656. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matchemphys.2025.131656.

[24] Ascencio Aguirre FM, Herrera Becerra R. New synthesis of bismuth oxide nanoparticles Bi2O3 assisted by tannic acid. Appl Phys A 2015;119:909—15. https://doi.org/10.1007/ s00339-015-9039-x.

[25] Ibrahim MK, Mahmood AI, Fandi SK, Rzaij JM. Development of an anthracene-coated SMF-MMF-SMF sensor for low-dose UV radiation detection and dosimetry. Braz J Phys 2025;55:10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13538-024-01652-2.

[26] Rzaij JM, Khdr Al Attwani NF, Salih EY, Mohammed MKA. Rare-earth Sm2O3-doped SnO2 : tailoring optoelectrical behaviors for a self-driven heterojunction UV-NIR photodetector. Mater Adv 2025;6:6542—9. https://doi.org/10.1039/ D5MA00719D.

[27] Kumari L, Lin J-H, Ma Y-R. One-dimensional Bi 2 O 3 nanohooks: synthesis, characterization and optical properties. J Phys Condens Matter 2007;19:406204. https://doi.org/ 10.1088/0953-8984/19/40/406204.

[28] Oudghiri-Hassani H, Rakass S, Al Wadaani FT, Alghamdi KJ, Omer A, Messali M, et al. Synthesis, characterization and photocatalytic activity of α-Bi2O3 nanoparticles. J Taibah Univ Sci 2015;9:508—12. https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.jtusci.2015.01.009.

[29] Salim ET, Al-Douri Y, Al Wazny MS, Fakhri MA. Optical properties of cauliflower-like Bi2O3 nanostructures by reactive pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique. Sol Energy 2014;107:523—9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2014.05.020.

[30] Altowyan AS, Shaban M, Abdelkarem K, El Sayed AM. The impact of Co doping and annealing temperature on the electrochemical performance and structural characteristics of SnO2 nanoparticulate photoanodes. Materials (Basel) 2022;15:6534. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15196534.

[31] Ahmed HH, Ali AM, Abd AN. (Bi2O3) NPs biosynthesis, characterization and using for solar cell application. J Biomech Sci Eng 2023:179—90. https://doi.org/10.17605/ OSF.IO/TF5AP.