The development of rice husk based TiO2-SiO2 hybrid organic thin film photovoltaic cell

This study investigates the synthesis, characterization, and photovoltaic performance of a rice husk-based TiO2-SiO2 hybrid organic thin film, which serves as the photoactive layer in an organic photovoltaic (OPV) cell. The object of the study is the TiO2-SiO2 hybrid thin film derived from rice husk, developed to enhance solar energy conversion in OPV applications. Conventional TiO2 thin films typically exhibit low efficiency due to limited electron mobility, small surface area, and weak photon absorption. To overcome these limitations, silicon dioxide (SiO2) was sustainably extracted from rice husk and integrated with TiO2 to form a hybrid material with improved structural and electronic properties. Structural analysis confirmed the formation of a porous composite that enhances charge separation and facilitates more efficient electron transport. Optical studies revealed increased photon absorption across the UV-visible spectrum due to synergistic interactions between TiO2 and SiO2. XRD analysis indicated that the hybrid structure improves crystallinity and potentially enhances carrier mobility. Furthermore, the surface passivation effect of SiO2 helps reduce charge recombination by mitigating defect states in the TiO2 matrix. The fabricated OPV device achieved an open-circuit voltage of 0.72 V, a short-circuit current density of 4.6 mA/cm², and a power conversion efficiency of 2.8 %, exceeding the performance of conventional TiO2-based cells. This enhancement is attributed to optimized charge transport and improved interfacial interaction. The approach demonstrates a sustainable and cost-effective route for high-performance thin-film solar cells using agricultural waste, particularly beneficial for regions with abundant solar energy and limited technological infrastructure