Porous-Spherical Cr2O3-Cr(OH)3-Polypyrrole/Polypyrrole Nanocomposite Thin-Film Photodetector and Solar Cell Applications

This study utilized the exceptional optical and electrical properties of polypyrrole (Ppy) to fabricate high-performance optoelectronic devices. The synthesis of the porous-spherical Cr2O3-Cr(OH)3-Ppy/Ppy nanocomposite thin film was achieved by preparing a second thin film of Cr2O3-Cr(OH)3-Ppy on the initial Ppy film using K2Cr2O7 as an oxidant. The nanocomposite’s properties were thoroughly characterized, including XRD and optical absorbance analyses. The XRD analysis showed that the crystalline size of the nanocomposite was 20 nm, while optical absorbance analysis demonstrated that the nanocomposite had a higher absorbance in a wide optical range compared to Ppy nanomaterials, as evidenced by the enhancement in bandgap (Eg) value from 3.33 eV for Ppy to 1.89 eV for Cr2O3-Cr(OH)3-Ppy. The fabricated nanocomposite thin film exhibited excellent light-sensing behavior, as evidenced by the evaluation of Jph values under different light conditions and various monochromatic lights with a detectivity (D) of 3.6 × 106 Jones (at 340 nm). The device demonstrated its potential as a solar cell, with a short circuit current (JSC) of 13 µA and an open circuit voltage (VOC) of 1.91 V. Given the nanocomposite’s low cost, high technical production, and superior optoelectronic properties, it has significant potential for use in commercially available high-tech devices.