Control of Light-Incident Top Electrode for Enhanced Transparent Photovoltaics with Balanced Optical and Electrical Design

Transparent photovoltaic devices (TPVDs) with on-site power generation capabilities present a sustainable solution for urban energy needs and integrated applications. Silver nanowires (AgNWs) show great promise as transparent conducting electrodes in TPVDs due to their high conductivity, transparency, and environmentally friendly synthesis. Achieving high-performance optoelectronic devices requires careful optimization of material densities to balance light–matter interactions, which can be controlled by adjusting the density of AgNWs. This study examines the relationship between the AgNW density and key performance metrics of TPVDs featuring a pyroelectric-ZnO absorber. ZnO/NiO heterojunctions were fabricated via sputtering with varying densities of AgNWs applied as the top electrode. Among the densities tested, TPVDs with 35% AgNW coverage demonstrated the best on-site power performance, achieving a power conversion efficiency of 3.431% and an open-circuit voltage of 305 mV. Additionally, the study explored the effect of AgNW coverage on photodetection properties across the UV to the visible range. The optimized TPVD generated a pyrocurrent-assisted photocurrent of approximately 429 μA under modulated optical illumination, highlighting the impact of the top electrode design on photoelectric performance. This study offers a method for optimizing conducting nanowire density to design high-performance transparent optoelectronics with on-site energy generation.